What Is Blocking Your View?

Tuesday, June 2

Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

““The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Devotion

Spiritual infections block our view of what God is doing and what He wants to bless us with. Common spiritual infections that block our view are lust, love of money, love of the world, the fear of man, and focus on self. Are you watching in the Spirit and the Word for what Jesus is doing, or are you too caught up in your cell phone, social media, family drama, medical worries, or financial concerns?

Our eyes become healthy when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. How can you better turn off the distractions blocking your view and open your eyes to what Jesus is doing? In the next chapter (Matthew 7), Jesus explains how we can help our brothers if we first get the log out of our own eye. In the same way, we might also ask brothers and sisters in Jesus—who already have the log out of their own eyes—to help us identify the things blocking our view, seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and see what God is doing so we can participate wholeheartedly.

When God made a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:19), He was doing something new for a group He refers to as “My people, My chosen.” If you think the new thing God is doing is only for your blessing or some kind of solo act, you are probably still blinded by a focus on self and missing the bigger picture. We know in part and we prophesy in part (1 Corinthians 13:9), even when we are dreaming dreams and seeing visions (Acts 2:17).

When we are truly hearing from God about the new thing He is doing, it is most likely confirmed by spiritually gifted people around us who can help fill in additional parts of the vision and details. If we are afraid to share what we think God is showing us with spiritually gifted people for their prayerful feedback, it is a sign we are probably looking at something blocking our view and not yet seeing clearly what God is doing.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask You to cleanse my eyes so I can see clearly what You are doing in my life. Remove anything that clouds my vision—distractions, wrong desires, fear, and self-focus. Help me to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. Give me the humility to receive correction and the wisdom to walk in step with Your Spirit. Open my eyes to Your new thing, and keep me from missing what You are doing right now. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Before making decisions or reacting emotionally, pause and ask: “What is God doing here?” Choose to interpret situations through the lens of Matthew 6:33 rather than through anxiety or impulse.

Resources

• Your situation may not have changed—but your perspective can. Watch “The Power of a Proper Perspective” when you get the chance.

• Download this week's wallpaper and let it remind you throughout the week: It’s time to live again. Wallpaper