E-Newsletters

A Good Word Cooking for a Crowd FYI Moments for Moms Pages and Tunes Reflections Side by Side Unlimited! Women@Work Laugh Lines

Daily Prayer Focus

Pray for the World

Pray for Christians around the world, particularly those persecuted or harassed.

Reader Poll

How do you like the new Leaders Unlimited Web site? I love it! I didn't find it helpful. It's okay. View Results

Reflections

New Vision for the New Year

January 1 is just a page on the calendar, but it never feels like just another day. Starting a New Year gives opportunity to review our lives and make changes as needed. Sometimes we call this “casting a new vision for the New Year.” This year that phrase has special meaning for me as I literally gained new vision the day after Christmas.

Cataract surgery is a simple process, I had been told, so when I went for it in mid-November I had no apprehensions. But that was before I reacted to the anesthetic and had frightening visions of caverns, and space ships, and giants holding me down. The surgery was halted because of my intense reaction. All through the holidays I tried to avoid thinking about the rescheduled surgery the day after Christmas.

My husband and two daughters joined me early December 26, acting like we were going on a fun family outing. Their warm presence alleviated my fears, enabling me to once again enter the Surgery Center. With comforting conversations, the doctor and anesthetist assured me a different anesthetic would be used for the simple surgery.
Sure enough, in a short time it was over.

To my great surprise, when I went for my post-op appointment the next day, I discovered I now have perfect vision. Like the blind man in John 6, I can exclaim, “One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see!” Every day since then, I have been filled with wonder at what I see. I truly have new vision for the New Year.

In John 6, Jesus compared the blind man’s physical impairment to the spiritual blindness of those around him. As I consider my own physical “non-seeing” condition and the need for surgical correction, I ask the Lord to correct my spiritual vision as well. A New Year is an appropriate time for that prayer.

In the opening days of this New Year I have delved into God’s Word, asking Him for new vision of old truths. I have searched Romans 8 that so graphically pictures the great love of the Father, the completeness of the work of Jesus, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. I want to keep a clear vision of the Trinity in the coming year.

As the year progresses I want to grow in appreciation of people—both Christians and unbelievers. If I say I live in the Spirit according to Romans 8:5, I must love others as God loves them. Sometimes personal differences function like spiritual cataracts, clouding our vision of others so we do not see them as valued in the eyes of God. I want to keep a clear vision of the value of people.

While delving into Romans 8—which is like walking down a familiar road and relishing old sights—I was reminded once again that God has a purpose for each one of our lives.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV).

Knowing God has a purpose for my life gives me a reason for getting out of bed in the morning. Sometimes our purpose is in a very public place, at other times it is private and unseen but nonetheless valuable. The inner workings of a clock are just as important as the digital numbers proclaiming the time. In the coming year I want to keep a clear vision of my personal purpose in life, both private and public.

When I think how paralyzing fear almost kept me from submitting to the necessary cataract surgery with its beneficial outcome, I wonder what numbing fears keep me from submitting to the Lord for healthy spiritual vision.  Hopefully, a clear vision of how much God loves us will cast out any fear that might keep me from loving others and fulfilling His purpose in my life.

Points to Ponder:

How does imperfect physical vision illustrate to us inadequate spiritual vision? What kinds of things keep us from healthy spiritual vision? What steps can we take to improve our spiritual vision?

PEGGY MUSGROVE is a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She is also a speaker, freelance writer, author and prayer group leader. Her latest book, Musings of a Maraschino Cherry was released in 2004.. You can visit her at www.musgroveville.com.

Like what you've read?

Subscribe to this email newsletter at
www.womensministriesunlimited.ag.org/newsletters