It happened with a pair of socks while folding laundry. I paired two socks and, as I reached for a second pair, realized neither was a match. I had looked at them. The colors shouted a mismatch, but I did not see the obvious.
Have you ever had an experience where you looked but didn’t see? It’s not that it wasn’t there, right in front of you, “as plain as the nose on your face,” my mother would say. But somehow it did not compute in your mind. How many times have your eyes passed over an object of search, perhaps a set of keys or that rogue tennis shoe your child needed to head off to school, that important piece of paper you put in a special place for safekeeping? It seems if we are looking, we should see, but that isn’t always so.
Those are experiences of seeing with physical eyes. When I speak of seeing, I instinctively think of inner vision, that awareness or knowledge separate from eyes with which we view our material world. There are some who call such “having an epiphany or revelation,” an “aha” moment. Others would apply the description “getting it.”
For me, to see is to understand without words, to have knowledge of, or to have a grasp of, concepts, truths, and precepts I have not heard with my physical ears. Those revelations take place within my being. They aren’t visible, yet they are solid and real, often life-changing.
This is what I see: (Now, isn’t that an adroit application of the word?) Each of us falls into one of two categories at varying times in our lives. The first is not seeing what others see; the second is seeing what others do not.
There are those times when we are blinded to the severity of our circumstances, the seriousness of the state we are in, the dire straits of our behaviors, actions, and attitudes. We are blinded to ourselves.
The resulting course of life shouts “Disaster!” as we head toward a cliff, but we continue, because we don’t see. Those around may observe and attempt to call attention and focus, but as a wise friend said, “If you don’t see, you don’t see.”
The second category is where we are the ones who have the sight, with clear vision of another’s state and situation. This is where a person can bump into a huge problem if not careful, that of judgment.
It can be easy to assume if things are obvious to me, then my friend, neighbor, spouse, child—you get the point—should be able to discern those problem-causing areas as well. The trap of pointing a finger, harshly judging, and criticizing sits at the door, and we can readily fall into it. Surely these people we love and care for cannot help but see those things which are crystal clear to us. “Don’t you see yourself?!” we want to shout. Not necessarily. If you don’t see, you don’t see.
Just as there have been plenty of times in my life when I didn’t see myself, so it is for others. When I see what another does not, it is important I consider taking that person before my Heavenly Father. Isn’t that what caring for one another is about? Standing in support and understanding rather than judging.
Inner vision and sight—seeing--is a gift. Often it comes in the form of a mirror, and we are unable to escape the truth.
Never take a single revelation lightly. Hold on to each one. They are given to bring about inner change, growth, maturity, and development. No man can ever take them away. In addition, be careful lest you judge others for things that are not clear to them, for things they do not see.
When I do see myself, I can no longer plead ignorance or denial. I am without excuse. When I have been shown the truth, when I see, I am then held personally accountable. I am responsible.
“I see,” said the blind man.
Therefore I counsel you to buy from me…
salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Revelation 3:18
1 comment:
Great reminder.
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