Full of Light

Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hand the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,
ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, ears, and heart,
illumine me, Spirit divine!

Even though my second cataract surgery is complete, I won’t know for three to four more weeks if I need to wear glasses again. Although my vision is clearer, and I can mostly read my laptop and phone, I need readers for the smaller print. My distance vision is much better in my left eye, but due to an astigmatism in my right eye, I still have blurriness. So, I wait.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about how important the eyes are. When they’re healthy, they let in the light. By healthy, Jesus is referring to spiritual health.

At times, the brokenness of this world paralyzes me. I want to hide away from the darkness and tragedy, the unfairness and constant bombardment of distraction from God. But because Jesus’ light shines into my life, I can face every day and be a light for Him. As a believer, I’m fighting back against the darkness. Through my sight I see His lantern glowing brighter.

When I was young, our church sang Open my Eyes, an old hymn written by Clara H. Scott. I love the stanza that asks the Spirit to “illumine me.” The Holy Spirit walks with me each day and opens my eyes to what Jesus wants me to see and do. I pray the light always fills my soul.

Seek Jesus’ light. He will guide the way.