Monday, May 18, 2009

The Eyes Have It!



All of our glasses have arrived and oh how good it feels to see.
Although they were all excited about their new glasses, I’ve caught each of my children at some point not wearing them. When I ask why you aren’t wearing your glasses, they have each offered the excuse it was easier to see the “old way”. Yes their vision with the new glasses is so much clearer and pronounced but they are used to seeing without them. I had to remind them that it may be inconvenient at times to have to wear the glasses but it is working for their good.

When they fail to wear their new eyeglasses they are subject to making errors. They can miss important signs that prevent them from walking into danger when they are not using their corrected vision. They are open to stumbling over things they can’t see but would have, had their glasses been on. I am a prime example of this. My glasses were not ready before we left for our trip. On the ship they had several doors that have a slightly raised edge that you must step over when going out on deck. Because I was looking through my old eyes, I could not see the step and stumbled almost every time I went on deck through these doors. After stubbing my toe a few times and stumbling even more, I eventually learned to take a high step when walking out of all the doors just to be sure, but having my new eyes in place would have allowed me to see the raised edges,. Not wearing your glasses can and will also further impair your vision, causing your sight to become dull and or dim.

I reminded them that putting on their new glasses opens up their eyes in a brand new way. A key example is my youngest daughter; she has been reading non-stop since having her new glasses. She has been reading books, sitting at the computer reading her school lessons. In fact her grades and level of work completion has actually gone up a great deal since she’s had her glasses. Her new vision has given her a brand new outlook on learning and seeing in general. The benefits of wearing the glasses far outweigh the inconvenience.

Just as it is in the natural so it is in the spirit, when God brings us a more excellent way we must adhere to it. It is not always easy or convenient to walk in the ways of the Lord but it is for our good. We cannot allow the fact that it is easier to live the old way to occupy our thought process and rule how we choose to live now. There is danger in trying to continue living our lives the old way. Yes it may be easier for our flesh to do things the way it once did, but it is not good for us. This is why the scriptures tell us we must put off our old man, and to lay aside every sin and weight that so easily besets us. Ephesians 4:22-32 admonishes us to put off the old man, be renewed in the spirit of our minds and to put on the new man; which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

When we fail to put off the old man we will find our selves stumbling and making grave errors in judgment. When we live outside of the correction God has provided for us we are at risk of missing Him in key areas of our lives. When our vision is skewed – looking from the old man – things can look good that are not good for us, our fleshly mind can and will deceive us. Walking after the flesh will cause your spiritual vision to be impaired, causing your sight (spiritual) to become dull and dim leading you away from God and Godly things. When you walk in the flesh you mind the things of the flesh, eliminating the things of the spirit.

Putting on the new man will empower you by the Spirit of God. Your relationship with the Father will become magnified causing you to walk in the very essence of Eph 1:18: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Putting on the new man, pushes you to seek God like never before, it causes you to see the Word in a clear and concise way, embracing it and all of it’s truths.
Having our mind renewed allows us to freely walk after the Spirit, minding things of the Spirit. We become more Christ focused, more ministry minded – whether the ministry is to your home, husband and children or to the world; you will be able to see it clearer than ever before.
Yes the benefits of putting on the new man far outweigh the consequences of not putting off the old man.

I encourage you to exercise your benefits today, put off the old man and put on the new. No longer looking at things the old way, but having the eyes of your understanding enlightened, having your mind renewed, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Blessings,



10 comments:

Love Abounds At Home said...

I just cleaned my glasses because I'm looking a new woman :)

Mommy Saves ALOT!!! said...

I love my glasses; never wore contacts though.

Deanna said...

So very glad the glasses came in and are a fit.

You are so blessed to have these children. At times I wished I had 10.

God Bless,
~Deanna~

Mama Jenn said...

Tony,
I just have to say that your kids are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!! Make sure you tell them that I absolutely LOVE the glasses on them!!!

Jenn

TonyR said...

Thank you ladies!
Deanna I really wished we could have had 6 but it was not to be so.
Jenn-I just told them and they are all smiles and said to say thank you! 8)

Deanna said...

Tony, I wanted to tell you that I thought the picture with your children was really neat. The way they are standing and posing for the pic is one I would imagine you will enjoy for years to come.

They're nice looking children.

Mary said...

Amen and amen. A fine looking family. Glad the glasses fit.

Unknown said...

It was a blessing their glasses came in before the trip. What a great pose!

Anna Renee said...

I'm late again, but these are your children? You don't look old enough! These are some very beautiful children and this picture really captures their beauty--the glasses look good too!
What a blessing to have 4, I only have 1 and even though he's 27 he's still my boy!

TonyR said...

Anna Renee,
8 ) Yes those are my kidlets.
oh believe me I'm more than old enough LOL. Thank you for your kind words. Now YOU my sister do not not look old enough to have a 27 yr old son. I pray for great genes such as yours.