“And Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.'”

(John 12:44-46 ESV)

I have variable-focus lenses in my glasses to help me with the flitting about from close range on the computer or fixing stuff, to afar off focusing out of the window or in the garden, looking up at the clouds in the sky or the military aircraft now transporting aid to Ukraine.

During the school term, I am an archery instructor on a Wednesday night, where, in a safe environment, I train teenagers to be more effective in hitting the gold centre of the target. Also, I have my own bow and kit that I use at home. Sadly, my variable-focus glasses are useless for shooting at this target because my head does not turn 180 degrees to look down my arms from side to side, and I must peer through the edge of the lens where heavy distortion causes about a two-foot deflection over fifteen yards! Someday, I will think about acquiring a lens for the bow-sight. In the interim, I have to use my blurred vision through the sight to aim for the gold, which is good enough for an old recreational archer.

All of this makes me ponder about how God’s impact on my life and the rest of the family is clear or blurred, influenced by things that may distort my vision of Him or His kingdom and the Bible’s portrayal of kingdom-of-God life in action, in and through my life.

So, I ask myself, how are any evil influences of the world’s grubby little fingers, online, or through phone, news, culture, and television, influencing my walk with Jesus and blurring my vision of Him in my life? I also ask, what social influencers’ lenses do I see with, and are they either distorting or making clearer my relationship with and from God?

How about you? What may be blurring your vision? Where do your help, influence, and guidance come from?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

(Psalm 119:105 ESV)

Prayer: Lord, may we read, see, and understand Your Word to us today. May Your guiding hand and corrective influence enable us to achieve what we are aiming for: a real and meaningful relationship with You, our Saviour and God. Lord, we ask for Your Holy Spirit’s influence to grant us a clear vision to aim for gold. Father, it is all so easy to be distracted by the world unless we are under Your care and hear Your voice in our hearts and minds. May we know Your forgiveness and prompting as we seek to follow You today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, by Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission