Seeing Clearly

“Lord, I want to see.” Luke 18:41

I love movies. I love going to the movies—the environment, the popcorn smell, the plush seats that recline (like, seriously? When did this become a thing, because I’m LOVING it), the over-priced candy that is somehow justified because, hello, we’re at the MOVIES, so of COURSE a tiny pack of three starbursts is going to cost $7.50! More than anything, I love being transported into a different world of whatever I’m viewing. Movies have the capacity of making the viewer see the world from a different perspective.

Hollywood can have a fantastic way of making you as the viewer see the world how they want you to see it. However, I know that I don’t belong in this world… that I was created for more. If I recognize that I was created for eternity, then I need to view this world as passing away, and I want to view the world as God sees it. I want to have God-minded vision.

This blog post isn’t intended to be a rant/vent session, but I’m just so fed up with the present culture telling me that I’m idiotic for believing in an invisible man in the sky; that somehow I’m wasting my life dedicated to a man who lived 2,000 years ago; or that I’m foolish and uneducated for adhering to a set of archaic rules and regulations.

I’m tired of trying to live up to what society says should be the norm for people my age. I’m exhausted from chasing cheap thrills that don’t satisfy and leave me feeling emptier and more alone. I’m worn out from living “safely” instead of as the daring missionary the Lord is calling me to be.

I want to be like the blind beggar at Jericho (Luke18:35-43). When Jesus asked him, “what do you want me to do for you?” he could have said, “I want to be rich,” or, “I just want something to eat,” or even, “I want to feel confident”, but no, he went for the big daddy of miracles, a miracle that would be painfully obvious if it didn’t work — the blind man asked for his sight. “Lord, I want to see.”

Modern society and culture are trying to push a picture of what they want me to see —living for myself, picking and choosing my truths, or doing whatever I can to be happy — and yet, I find myself calling out to Jesus asking, “Lord, I want to see how YOU see.” I so desire to see the world, my neighbor, and myself as God sees.

I want to live my life with so much faith that I become blind to what the world is trying to show me and I want to SEE how God sees.

Maybe you’re in the same boat as me, maybe you’re not… Practically you might be asking, how can I do that when I do LIVE in the world!? Here are some practical steps I’ve taken to have a God-centered vision:

A Dedicated Prayer Life

If I want to see the world how God sees, then I have to know how God thinks. I have to try and understand the plan He has in mind, and I HAVE to get to know my God. A daily prayer life isn’t some small suggestion, it’s a necessity. I know myself well enough that if I don’t take at least 15 minutes of personal prayer time connecting with my Savior, then my whole day seems off. My day can become a long agenda of tasks I need to get done, instead of being open to how the Holy Spirit wants to work.

Frequenting the Sacraments

The Sacraments are visible sign of an invisible God. They are used by the “Holy Spirit to spread the grace of Christ the head throughout the Church which is his Body” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 774). When I frequent the Sacraments, particularly Reconciliation and the Eucharist, I am given the grace to live this life and see this world how God sees it. I am strengthened with Heavenly Bread on this pilgrimage journey. I need the grace from the Sacraments to open my eyes to see how much I need Jesus in this life.

Community

I was not made to live this life by myself. I was not created to love Jesus and forget my neighbor. I am a part of the Body of Christ, which means that those around me are my brothers and sisters. I need to surround myself with like-minded individuals who will journey with me on this mission to bring the Kingdom of God to the world. This is not an exclusive club because Jesus came to save everyone. However, what I surround myself with, and more importantly who I surround myself with has an impact on how I view the world. Jesus had twelve disciples he taught, traveled and did life with; He invested in those close relationships so that when the time came, they were sent out and changed the world. A solid community is important because when trials come, and they will, you will have the support and encouragement of your community, reminding you to see the world as God sees it and to see yourself as God sees you. That is so important. You were not created to be an island.

These are just a few tips and suggestions I have found to help me see what God wants me to see. I am in no way perfect or a saint…yet (pray for me!), however, the idea of sanctification, of spending eternity in perfect bliss and joy united with my Savior forever is not some far out idealistic concept — it can be a reality. The joy of that thought makes me want to bring the whole world with me. As I said, I love the movies, they are so inventive and imaginative, however, they’re passing, and as much as I love viewing the world through others’ eyes, ultimately, I want to view the world through the eyes of the Creator. Lord, I want to see.