Many mornings on my rural commute to the high school where I teach, I pass in and out of fog. Sometimes the fog is thick enough to obscure the sun and the road ahead. Other times, especially when I ride my motorcycle to work, the fog’s water droplets collect on my helmet’s face shield, clouding my vision.
The passage I read in the Bible this morning relates to this. The apostle Peter reminded believers to be alert and discerning, and to recall the truth in order to see themselves, others, and circumstances clearly. He didn’t want them to be deceived, to be led astray, or to be distracted from what’s right and true by false teachers and scoffers who mock God and distort the truth in order to glorify and indulge themselves (2 Peter 3:1-18).
Warped Vision
Today, just like when Peter wrote in the first-century, we each need to see clearly. Most people judge too quickly. They tend to operate based on just part of a story, just some of a situation, or just what they see on the outside of a person. Sometimes people dismiss the truth because they don’t want to be accountable or own up to their wrongdoing or shortcomings. Many times people see only want they want to see—they confirm their biases. Without God’s help we all operate from a warped view of reality influenced by our self-centered brokenness, our fallen world, and the devil’s lies.
New Eyes
What we need are new eyes to see clearly. We need the truth and wisdom from God to effectively deal with people, with circumstances, and especially with our own thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and actions. As the almighty, loving designer who created and sustains the universe, God sees the whole picture, as well as, all the details. He knows the past and the future. Nothing hides from his view or eludes his understanding. He looks deeper than how people appear on the outside into what they could be if they were restored from within. He graciously meets them where they are and desires to help them grow into all he designed for them to be in Jesus.
Conclusion
We live in a world shrouded in disinformation and lies which attempt to block the light of truth. Don’t lose your way in the fog. By faith wipe your windshield clean so you can see clearly. Confess any wrongdoing to God and receive his forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Humbly ask him for wisdom. He promises to give it freely through his Holy Spirit (James 1:5; Luke 11:9-13). Listen to what he tells you. Then rely on him to see people and circumstances as he does and to walk in his ways (John 14:15-21; James 1:22-25). He will set you apart in character and vision to carry out his mission of restoring you and saving other people (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). To God be all glory.
Note: I wrote a song about his titled, “See Clearly.” You might enjoy listening to it.