How does your vision of Jesus impact your spiritual health?

Luke 11:33-36

33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

When reading this passage I automatically think of light and darkness and not hiding the light of Jesus that should be shining through our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. However, this time I was struck by verse 34: ‘When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.’ This got me exploring eye health with ‘doctor Google’. I was amazed to find that there are many things that could impact our vision and in turn general health.

The overarching message seemed to be: don’t rub, which is, of course, the first reaction to an eye irritation.  But if you do rub it just makes it worse and could have serious consequences. I think this is sometimes our reaction to God’s word when we are confronted by our sin – we automatically ‘rub’, that is, we try to justify our bad behaviour and end up just digging ourselves deeper into the pit of rebellion against God.

Instead, the lesson should be to not immediately react, but pause to reflect on our actions, ensuring that we are responding in a way that would glorify God and the salvation he has given us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, maintain your spiritual health by exercising a healthy vision of God’s purpose for yourself and live as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Head: Whatimpacts on your vision of Jesus as the way home to God?

Heart: Reflect on what pleases the Lord as you listen to the song ‘Centre my Life’ which starts with the words: ‘Turn my eyes to see you Jesus, in all your glory – turn my eyes’.

Hands: Consider what you can do today to improve your spiritual eye health.

Prayer: GraciousFather, thank you for your Word and the Holy Spirit to help us live daily lives that reflect your light to the world. Help us to be mindful not to react impetuously when confronted by our wrong doing, but to consider your Word and the salvation we have in Jesus, and live lives that enable others to want to seek to know you.

A song to listen to: Centre My Life

Sandra Hinrichsen – Living Church Creek Road