More Light

“Now, keep your eye on the spot in the center. Do not let it follow the flashing lights,” instructed the surgeon. Focus, concentrate, find a spot, and hold it there, I told myself. A few seconds later, I heard him say, “Excellent, all done!” For anyone who has had cataract surgery, this may sound familiar. I listened closely to the doctor’s specific instructions: “Be sure to wear your eye patch while sleeping or taking a nap for the next few days. Follow the printed schedule for eye drops,” and several more details. I left the office wearing dark sunglasses, determined to follow all the instructions. Those cataracts had certainly dimmed my vision, but now the second eye had been successfully finished. As I prepared for bed that evening, my eyes fell upon the information sheet attached to all my prescriptions. You know the one, with all the tiny print? I glanced at it and could not believe my eyes—I could read it with ease! I was so excited, I almost felt like crying. The story of the blind man’s joy after Jesus had healed him flashed through my mind. And then a verse in 1 Corinthians kept repeating itself: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT). My improved eyesight is nothing compared to what God wants for all of us.

As I thought about the specific instructions from my doctor, I could see a spiritual comparison that was good for all of us. “Concentrate! Don’t follow the flashing lights! Keep focused!” There is much in life to distract us from keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Flashing lights come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but God has given us a map, the Bible, to help us navigate this often crazy world. Each day we get a clean slate to begin again with Jesus. Our eyes cannot imagine what has been so wonderfully planned for us.

Even with my much-improved eyesight, I want more light—I want the spiritual light that draws me closer to knowing God’s plan and desires for me.

Won’t you join me on this daily journey?

Rita Kay Stevens