Learning to See

Are you blind? Do you have the ability to see?

When a beautiful sunset takes place on a cool October night, do you experience it or do you simply see it?

There are two levels to how we experience what we see. There is the neurobiological response that allows us to visualize, and then there is a sight that takes place deep down in our souls.

The Darkness

I was recently reading a book by Max Lucado entitled God Came Near. In the beginning of the book, Lucado describes a man who was blind for his entire life until a surgeon was able to give him sight.

After 50 years, this man could see for the very first time.

I never would have dreamed that yellow is so … yellow. I don’t have the words. I am amazed by yellow. But red is my favorite color. I just can’t believe red.

I can see the shape of the moon – and I like nothing better than seeing a jet plane flying across the sky leaving a vapor trail. And of course, sunrises and sunsets. And at night I look at the stars in the sky and the flashing light. You could never know how wonderful everything is.

- Bob Edens from God Came Near by Max Lucado

Light entered his pupils, and stimulated his retina. The optic nerve then sent a signal to his cerebral cortex that for the first time created images of light and dark.

Refracted light was interpreted. Yellow and red. Shapes and sizes. And for the first time he could see.

photo by Jessica Pilhelde (stock.xchng)

I have seen yellow and red and sunsets and the moon my entire life, but they have never moved me in this way.

The beauty of living in darkness for so long, is that when he could see, he immediately fell in love with seeing.

Distraction

This man’s story reminds me of seeing Jesus.

I have never personally heard the voice of God. I have never had a vision or a dream where Jesus was speaking to me. But I do feel that I have seen him.

I saw him first when I was 15. Growing up in a religious, Baptist home, my personal rebellion was limited. But a rebellion it was.

Then I saw Jesus for the first time, and I wanted him. I bowed my knee to him and he cleansed me from my sin. We became brothers sharing the same father in heaven.

But unfortunately I spent years not looking at him. I believe he kept his eye on me the entire time, but I was busy looking at myself.

I stared at my sin. I stared at my theological beliefs. I stared at what I saw in others, especially those I disagreed with.

When we are busy looking at ourselves, we lose sight of Jesus. His beauty fades. His majesty ignored.

Seeing for the first time, Again

But then I saw him again, and this time he was even more majestic and beautiful than the first time.

I was covered in the sins of self-righteousness and pride, and when I finally looked back at him, he was there waiting for me.

It reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son. The wandering son, having wasted an inheritance and the love of his father, sat in filth and hunger. With pigs.

Then he remembered his father.

Running back home he came up with a plan to be a servant. To work for his dad to make up for all the crap he had done.

The money spent. The anguish suffered. The time lost.

And when he arrived home, he saw his father waiting for him with his arms wide open.

Waiting for his beloved son so he could hold him, and never let go. So he could put the ring on his finger. Waiting to kill the fattened calf and throw a party, celebrating his return.

What a sight that must have been for the prodigal son.

The love of his father.

Have you seen Jesus? Have you ever stopped looking, but then returned? Tell us your story in the comments.