Seeing clearly

"To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion." John Ruskin

"Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord.
"Should you not tremble in my presence?" (Jeremiah 5:21, 22a NIV)

I have trouble seeing clearly spiritually. To see clearly one must first look at what one wants to see and pause until that thing comes into focus. I want to have clear spiritual vision, but I am often distracted by many things. I need to fix my eyes on Jesus until everything comes into focus. I need to see through the lens of God's word. "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18 NIV)
Life is difficult and ugly and without proper perspective it can be heartbreaking and overwhelming. Life is also beautiful. When this beauty is pursued as an end in itself, it can be empty, self- serving and short-lived. This is not the abundant life God has for us. (John 10:10)
Writing is a way for me to examine my thoughts. This blog is a way for me to experience accountability through community as I orient myself toward God by searching my thoughts and heart and aligning it with God and His word while inviting you to join me in the quest to have eyes to see and ears to hear.

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear." (Isaiah 32:3-4 NIV)
""I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."(Isaiah 42:6, 7 NIV)