I was driving today and found myself having to constantly wash the windscreen as every vehicle in front of me threw up muck from the road and deposited it liberally across the glass. It was lightly drizzling, just that annoying sort of not-really-proper-rain, making the roads wet enough to throw up spray. But the sky was quite bright - and the combination of a dirty windscreen and brightness can be rather dangerous. So the washers and wipers were in constant use. Ive just bought my first pair of glasses. Im wearing them now as I type. I didnt really think I needed them, but Keith arrived home with a pair not long ago, saying that he had had his eyes tested and now needs glasses for close reading/fine print. I tried his on. And suddenly that tiny writing became a whole heap
So the thought for today - if you havent worked it out already - is about seeing clearly.
We are all on a journey ( I hate that analogy - its such a cliche. But sadly for the purposes of this illustration Im going to have to say it!) Sometimes we are driving along in nice weather and we can enjoy the view. More often than not we need to focus on where we are going and how to get there, on the other people on the road with us and the distractions in our vehicle. Sometimes we are driving through bad weather. The road throws up mud and muck which obscures our view. Or perhaps, imperceptibly, our ability to focus has declined. We think we are seeing everything clearly, but in fact we have lost definition. Clarity. Acuity.
We need to be able to see clearly. Vision is crucial - where there is no vision (revelation) the people perish ( or cast off restraint ) (Prov 29.18) If we cant see where we are going we are either going to drive off the road or come to a standstill. Either way we won't reach our destination
So how do we keep our windscreens clean and our eyes focused? Well we need the washing of water by the word
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.…( Eph 5 ;26)
Both the written word and the ' now' word of God are a crucial factor in the cleaning process. But its not just enough to deploy the washers, we need windscreen wipers too - to apply the water to to affected area and remove the dirt. As I was driving today watching my windscreen wipers doing their job it occurred to me that the wipers are people - pastoral people - those who travel with us and who work for us to help us apply what God has spoken. The input of others who are outside, looking in, impartial, who care and who can help us is vital. We cant do this on our own.
And every now and then we need to subject our vision to an ' eye examination'. Perhaps just check out with someone that the way we are seeing things is in focus and still in line with God's will and His word. That the way we are going is the right way. Once again pastoral input and wisdom from those who know us well is
Jesus came 2000 years ago not only to die for us and pay the price for our selfishness, greed, pride and rottenness, but so that He could be the channel for the release of the Holy Spirit into the earth. He is the one who imparts, maintains and sustains our vision. As we approach a New Year let us take a while to check that the windscreen is clean and we have our glasses on.
Lord, thank you for your Holy Spirit who is ever active, working on our behalf, speaking, leading, guiding. I pray that as we approach a new year He would have free access to all areas. That He would increase vision, impart new vision, give direction and sharpen focus in our lives. That we might travel safely and not miss any of the joy of the journey. Amen
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