Lessons from the Heart
How's your vision?
By Dr. Peter E. Roussakis

Many of us have had eye exams and wear contacts or traditional glasses. We do so because our vision is flawed in some way. Few people have perfect 20/20 vision. Not many see exactly as they would like without some correction.

The ancient Israelites had a vision problem also; not merely with their physical eyes; but with the eyes of their minds and hearts. They had a spiritual vision problem. One person who was chosen by God to see things the way God sees them was Samuel. He was the last of the great judges in Israel's early history. He also served a priest and prophet.

God led him to the home of Jesse of Bethlehem to select a new king for Israel. Samuel interviewed seven of the eight sons. Each looked as though he could lead. However, God impressed upon Samuel: "Do not consider their appearance or their height, for I have rejected them. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (I Sam. 16:7). Eventually the eighth son, David, was interviewed. Samuel was stirred in his heart and he knew young David was God's choice. He may not have looked the part initially, but his character was Godly, and as it turned out, he was a superior military leader as well.

How's your vision? Do you see things through the lenses of God's word and Spirit? The world would have us think, make decisions, choices, and behave in ways it promotes. Yet we must regularly dwell upon God's written word, pray, and daily surrender our wills to his, that we may have spiritual discernment, Godly vision, to help us think and act as God intends.

Peter Roussakis is pastor at the Burlington First Brethren Church.