The Almighty Optometrist

Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.  Luke 11: 34- NLT

Jesus had just explained that we are to put our lamp on a lampstand to provide light for others to see the way. Then He compares our eyes to the lamp and how if we believe and serve Him, our entire lives will be filled with His light.

This reminds me of what happened to me in First Grade. I loved school but I had a bit of a problem. I was seated in the third row back from the chalkboard. When the teacher would write letters or sentences on the board, I would immediately drop my pencil on the floor so I could bend over and turn my heard sideway to be able to read the board. Finally, the teacher noticed and moved me to the front row, but that didn’t help; I still needed to tilt my head. One day she talked to my mom about this strange behavior and having my eyes tested.

I’ll never forget the day I left the Optometrist office with my new plaid glasses and walked out into the sunlight. I was a bit dizzy at first because everything was so bright. The grass was a beautiful bright green and the stop lights a brilliant red. Everybody we passed on the street seemed friendlier. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to show my teacher my plaid-rimmed glasses. I wouldn’t have to tilt my head to read any longer. My little six-year-old life changed that day.

I think that is what happens we ask Jesus into our hearts. His light of salvation and unconditional love is so brilliant, it fills our whole body, mind and soul with sunshine. I still remember vividly asking Jesus into my heart at age seven. When I finished praying, I felt lighter, and everything around me seemed brighter. I can see it in my mind’s eye today and feel the joy and peace of that moment. Now, seventy years later, I still live in wide-eyed wonder and belief that the Light of the World continues to illuminate my heart and mind and challenges me to share that Light with others.

Father, I pray You will continue to fill my life with Your Light and help me share Your Light with those around me. And, Jesus, if there are any dark places in my heart, expose them to Your love and forgive me.  Light the path before me and help me not to “hide my light under a bushel or let Satan blow it out.” Just let it shine. Let it shine! Let it shine!”