Summer is in full swing and it seemed that we all moved quickly from shoveling
out of snow, to rain, rain, rain, to full blown heat and humidity. This
summer has also been literally an eye-opening experience for me. As some of
you know, I have worn contact lenses for 17 years and glasses since 3rd grade
(I am 32... you do the math). But, on June 20th I went and had Lasik
surgery performed on my eyes. To be able to see without glasses or
contact lenses has become totally awesome, seeing in one eye 20/15 and 20/20
in the other. In thinking about this experience, I saw how lack of clear
vision influenced my life negatively, but I also recognized how a lack of
spiritual vision can affect my life, our church, and community all the
more!
In Proverbs 29:18, the writer
states, "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over
themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most
blessed." (The Message Bible Translation), Traditionally, many
know this verse quoted as, "Where there is no vision, the people
perish;" (Amplified Bible Translation). Either way it shows us
something important: God has revealed Himself to us in and through His
Son, Jesus, and in doing so, has called all of us to accept Him as the Way (to
God the Father); The Truth (Jesus is exactly what He and others for
centuries believe - the Son of God); and the Life (abundant life occurs
in a relationship with Jesus here and when we pass from this life).
For those of us in the
church,
20/20 or better vision for seeing God is achieved in clearly discerning God's
will, as we have been striving to do by focusing on ministries and programs
that we can offer to the church and community. These include:
building expansion and upgrading, day care, Vacation Bible
School, youth ministry, senior citizens and other social groups, Christian education/Sunday
School, fellowship, etc. If we keep our eyes on God and his will, we
will not stumble or perish, but become stronger as we connect with the great
community.
For those in the community along
with the church, 20/20 or better vision for seeing God is achieved in our open
interaction. Our main goal for Moore's Chapel is to be a means of
helping people connect to God through His Son, Jesus Christ and I believe that
begins through individual searches and inquiries for the way to God, the truth
of the Christian faith, and the life achieved in a relationship with God
through Jesus and by our church being the visible, physical entity to unite
all people to God.
Someone has said, "Well,
Christianity is good for you, but not for me." Well, that is not
logical, for if Christianity is true, then it is
for all of us! If it is not true,
Christians are greatly deluded. I know and I have experienced greater
vision in my relationship with God than I ever thought possible and I still
mess up, but Jesus came to give me the free unconditional gift of love and
forgiveness that is achieved in accepting Him in spite of my failings.
How's your vision?
Do you feel like you have lost sight of God or
have never even seen him? Do you want to
have a clearer vision of God in your life, family, community, and
church? Where are you stumbling or perishing? In this world where
nothing appears clear for long, through Jesus doing "Lasik surgery on our
'spiritual eyes' ", our lives, community, and church can gain the clear
chart of God's plan.
Shalom and Agape (Peace and Love),
Jack D. Cohen, Former Pastor
I Can See Clearly Now