Navigating Life With Dim-Witted Eyes
A story of a magnifying glass
I had cataract surgery, and something went wrong. I ended up having several more surgeries to fix the problem. Today, my vision is better but still lacking, and to top it off, I have glaucoma and diabetic neuropathy in that eye.
It makes me think of a scripture and a story.
The scripture:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV)
The story:
We were looking through microscopes lined up in a row on a table. Each slide had a different item to be viewed. The magnifying glass within the microscope made everything appear giant, so big that only one little piece of the item was visible. A description plate was at each station so that we knew what the object was.
Mom and I took Dad, who was well into the later stages of his Alzheimer’s disease, from station to station to get a peek. Dad could still communicate, but he was so much like a child. We were not sure he understood what he was seeing.
Poor Dad, who had once been alive and vibrant, now lived in a fog most of the time.
We reached one particular microscope where we were instructed to put whatever we wished under the lens. We decided to do our finger. When Dad placed his finger in there and took a look, his eyes lit up with such wonder. We were glad to see that big smile as he finally comprehended what he viewed.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psalm 34:3, RSV)
While here on earth, we are to magnify the Lord. This kind of magnification speaks of the exaltation we give to God. We acclaim, appreciate, celebrate, and proclaim His name to the world. We stand in awe and wonder at the mighty works of His hands. Like a magnifying glass, we try to broadcast and make known His name and deeds.
Yet, how can we perfectly magnify God’s greatness as long as we see Him through a fog?
I can’t answer this question, but we must try to magnify Him despite our imperfections.
When the fog of this world is lifted, and our eyes are clear to see Him face to face, we will fully know. The Bible says that we are looking through a dim glass. Our simple minds can only imagine within their limitations.
Dad is now in heaven with the Lord. He sees Jesus face to face. I would love to have seen Dad’s face when his eyes lit up with wonder, fully comprehending Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Father God, We magnify your name and yearn for the day we will see you face to face. Amen.
