How's Your Vision?

TWILY Ministries|Love Notes|April 2009

How’s Your Vision Today?

Over the last month, I’ve been dealing with a really bad eye injury. Initially, I didn’t think it was a big deal. Three days in, though, with no relief in sight, I KNEW I was dealing with quite a doozy! So, I tried to call my Optometrist, thinking he would be able to - at least - give me some eye drops to help soothe the pain. Well, he just happened to be out of town, which, in retrospect, was good, since I needed a specialist! Now, normally, I would have waited until he returned (in a day or so), but since the situation was increasingly painful, and stressful, wisdom kicked in; I called a referral service to help me find a good Ophthalmologist.

You know what, though? Referral services, too, can be a source of stress. I mean, think about it. People call them up seeking help in finding a good doctor and what happens? Well, after a series of preference-type questions, they shoot off a loonnnnng list of names, and then, with little else to go on, they expect folk to make a selection! Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but with that process, I’m usually left wondering, “Did I choose the right doctor?” – Again I say, “Stressful!”

Thankfully, that is not how it played out this time. No, when I called, I got one of the most personable people I’ve ever talked to - in that situation. When I explained my situation to her, she, like an old friend, was very empathetic; perhaps because she too had suffered an eye injury. She said to me, “Oh I know what you’re going through!” I didn’t have to “randomly pick a doctor”, because she strongly recommended that I see the same doctor that she had seen; supposedly, he was very good and near by. Relieved, I said, “Great! Can you give me his name, please?” to which she responded, “Sure. His name is Dr. Apple.” I said, “Dr. Apple? For real?…Like the fruit?” Laughing, she confirmed.

Well, after I hung up, I thought to myself, "Hundreds of Ophthalmologists to choose from, and I get referred to one named Dr. Apple?”

(You probably noticed from my reaction to the name Dr. Apple, my mind had INSTANTLY related it to something else - Scripture, and now, as I sat there, I could really begin to see the Lord’s subtle involvement in the entire scene.) Strongly sensing His presence, I recall saying something close to, “Father, it is amazing how you can use any situation to remind us of how much concern You have for us.”

On that day, He had used an eye ailment, a referral service, and an Ophthalmologist, to remind me – and now, you too – of just how highly He values each of us; Even more than the birds of the air, and we know how He constantly cares for them! (Matthew 6:26); Anyway, just like people care about what‘s important to them, so does the Lord; He FIERCELY PROTECTS His children, whom He values highly!

Here's what I mean.

The term “apple” is used in several passages of Scripture. Oh, incidentally, Genesis 3:6 is NOT one of them, as it relates to Adam and Eve. - Who started that one? Anyway, it is used in other passages, passages like Psalm 17:8, where King David, during a time of persecution, says to the Lord:

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye.” - NKJV

Now, that’s from the NKJV, but it reads differently in other translations. Take the NET for instance, which renders it this way:

“Protect me as You would protect the pupil of Your eye!”

From this passage, you can see that the term “apple” means pupil. See why I was so stirred the “moment” the woman said “Dr. Apple?” I couldn’t help, but make a connection to the Scripture!

In that passage, we can see that King David understood that if one is “kept as the pupil of God’s eye”, he or she is HIGHLY protected! Why though? Well, because the “apple”, or the PUPIL of the eye, is a very vital part of the eye! After all, the pupil is what allows light to enter the eye, and without light, of course, we’d be stumbling in the dark. Now, that pertains NOT ONLY to our physical sight, but, and more importantly, to our spiritual sight, as well:

People, who have NOT accepted “the LIGHT” – Jesus Christ – into their lives, have no vision; they are stumbling around in the dark, separated from the Source of Light!

Aren’t you glad that you have “the Light of the world” – Jesus Christ? – (John 8:12) You DO don’t you? I hope so, but if not, why NOT receive Him today? For when you do, you too, will have the joy of knowing that you are “kept as the apple (pupil) of God’s eye – safe, secure, and HIGHLY valued!”

As I draw to a close let me share one more thing with you, regarding “vision”. It has been nearly five weeks, now, since I so “carelessly” injured my eye, and I’ve seen Dr. Apple, as many times – five! During each of those visits, he’d ask me, “How’s your vision today?” to which I can NOW respond, great! That wasn’t the case, at first. At the height of my injury, there were days when it seemed to be damaged. As it turned out, though, it wasn’t damaged at all; it was merely obstructed by swelling. Once that swelling went down, I could see that my vision was still in tact!

If that can happen with our physical vision, it can also happen with our spiritual vision. Pressures – economic, relational, and otherwise – can cause us to think that the vision God has shown us for our life is fading away. Maybe you feel that way right now. If so, friend, be encouraged. If “God” has shown you a vision for your life, don’t you know that He is able to bring it to pass? He is! There is not a problem, person, or pain that can EVER nullify His word! Just keep doing your part – trusting, praying, being where you’re supposed to be, and doing what you’re supposed to be doing. He will deal with the obstructions, and when the dust settles, you will find that the vision – the one that God has for your life - is still in tact! After all, it is for His glory!

On that note, I close. I hope you were blessed by this issue, and I thank you for taking time to read it. God willing, I will see you all next month, when (I believe) I will be focusing on “being where you’re supposed to be!” Until then, stay encouraged and, please, be careful with your eyes!

Love in Christ,

Joyce

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