26 Apr Blind Spots

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. ~ Habakkuk 2:2

A few weeks ago I had a dream that really stirred me. You know the kind of dream that wakes you up and you cannot shake for hours and/or days? In the dream there were people who were leaving the church (I had no idea who they were because I didn’t see any faces –that fact seemed irrelevant). In my dream I was so upset that they were leaving and my heart was literally broken. I turned to my husband and said, “They are leaving because they have Macular Degeneration.” And with that the dream was over.

When I woke up I remembered the dream as if it had really happened. I had no clue what Macular Degeneration was though. After a quick search on the Internet I learned that this was a term for a disease affecting the vision. In fact, it directly impacts the central vision – or things that are in center of what an individual is looking at. It is said that, “Center vision may appear blurry because parts of the macula have begun to die, leaving blank spots in vision.”

While there is not one single link to what causes Macular Degeneration, age seems to be a likely proponent in a large percentage of those receiving the diagnosis. After reading about this disease I knew in my heart what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me.

People can sit in the church for years and literally become blinded to the things that are right in front of them. After serving the Lord for over 30 years now I watch as some people see a need and do nothing to meet it. Individuals can sit in a service and not realize they are called to be a part of the church, not only attend a service. Looking at what is right in front of them they lose the ability to see the great need that the church, His Bride, has for them to be involved. The center vision dies and blank spots are left.

Physical Macular Degeneration has 3 distinct phases. The first two come on slow and are nearly unrecognizable without close examination. An individual won’t lose his or her sight immediately from the disease. However, getting check ups regularly help to identify if something is changing with the eye so preventative measures can be taken. The third phase brings vision loss and blindness.

We must regularly check ourselves spiritually to ensure we are seeing clearly what God has for our lives. Our time here on Earth is limited and we will one day account for how we used our time, talents, and treasures. Let’s not lose sight of the opportunities He sets in front of us. I cannot imagine waking up tomorrow and being blind. We must guard ourselves to care for our spiritual sight and pray God gives us His eyes to see the world around us as He does.

“A man without a vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.” (P.K. Bernard)