Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 12:9, “And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.”
Since 7th grade, I have been saddled with the markers of one who is less than perfect. It was then that I began to wear glasses. I remember times preceding that day, sitting in health class at school, when I would quickly but surreptitiously memorize the eye test chart so that when my time came to say which direction that capital ‘E’ pointed, I could get it right. But alas, my ruse did not last. One day, the most dreaded of moments occurred. Over the intercom system in our class, for no apparent reason, my name was called to come to the office. Ordinarily this beckoning meant only punishment, or worse, at least in my mind, having not yet experienced what some other classmates “enjoyed” quite regularly. But when I got to the office, what awaited me was a note for me to pass along to my parents that I needed glasses, which was better than what I feared, but not exactly what my cool image was wanting. Soon I discovered that my left eye had 20/400 vision, which means that those of you with 20/20 vision can read the same thing from 400 feet that I can see from only 20 feet. But eyesight, poor or otherwise, is not the only type of vision. Some people are skilled at envisioning what could be. They are able to see potential and project into the future what could become of what merely is now. They create, plan, build, and motivate change, many times starting from what you and I see as nothing, with our eyes and our imagination.
And then there is the type of vision that Peter thought he was seeing when the angel arrived in his jail cell. Most of us probably consider these events as charades acted out by charlatans, trying to weasel money from a gullible seeker. Whether in life or on the screen, these visions carry no weight of reality, at least not for most of us. But whether you know it or not, you have each of these types of vision. Of course you have eyes that you are using to read this. But you also can envision the future, it’s just a matter of how you choose to look out into it. Do you see hope or despair? And you have had visions. God has shown you things about yourself, and Himself. But do you dismiss them as nonsense, or can they change your life? Take a look and see.
As we seek Him today, ask God to help you see and understand.
Have a great weekend.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
