Recently, I got a new pair of glasses.
I’ll be honest and admit that I got them for completely vain reasons. I thought my old glasses were ugly—that they made me look old and drew attention to my wrinkles. Since I felt awful every time I put them on, I rarely wore them. Honestly, my eyes weren’t bothering me, so who needed glasses?
Well, my brother did. While he was picking out his frames, my eyes fell on this really pretty pair of purple glasses. As soon as I tried them on, it was love at first sight. I did something I very rarely do (because I’m actually pretty frugal). I splurged and made an eye appointment so that I could buy the glasses.
Then the strangest thing happened.
The night after I got my pretty new purple glasses, I decided to put them on to watch television. Much to my surprise (seriously, I couldn’t believe how surprised I was), I could see so much better.
I was literally shocked at all that I had been missing before!
It turns out that when you wear your glasses, you can see more clearly!
Now, no matter where I go, I can tell the difference as soon as I put my glasses on. Things are clearer, brighter; I can see further. Who knew?!? It’s absolutely amazing!
Here’s the funny thing: my prescription didn’t really change that much.
It’s not like the new glasses were so powerful that my vision was clearer.
The problem was that before, I wasn’t wearing my glasses. Sitting in my purse, my old glasses weren’t helping me at all.
The problem wasn’t the glasses. It was my refusal to take advantage of what was available to me.
As I was mulling the difference in my vision when I chose to wear my glasses instead of carry them around with me, I was reminded of a Scripture.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
(Psalm 119:105)
I thought how God’s Word helps us see ourselves and our world more clearly, just like eyeglasses help me see more clearly.
Yet, so many Christians treat the Bible like I treated my eyeglasses.
They know that it would help them view life more clearly.
They know it would direct their path.
They know that it holds all of the keys to living life God’s way.
They know all the benefits, and yet, for some reason, they leave it on a shelf, ignoring everything it could give them.
As I’ve recently learned with my eyeglasses, this is not a good choice.
Instead, the best choice that we, as believers, can make is to read God’s Word and take full advantage of all of the wisdom, the direction, and the light that is in it.
We need to stop making excuses and instead make time to read, study, learn and love God’s Word.
We need to let it light our path, show us what direction to go, teach us God’s Ways, help us discern truth from lies, and help us grow in our faith.
The Word of God offers us so much—the only thing keeping us from it is our own choice to ignore it.
But oh, the possibilities that await those who choose to read it and let it change their lives!
Just like I can see so much more with my glasses when you choose to read and study God’s Word, you will see spiritual and earthly things so much clearer.
So my encouragement for you today: Don’t follow my example and keep a powerful tool hidden away.
Instead, do what I did with my new glasses—use them!
Choose to allow God’s Word to illuminate your life.
Set a time each day and read God’s Word.
Find a Bible reading plan and stick to it.
If you fall behind, start again.
Don’t waste one more day allowing God’s Word to sit on a shelf.
Instead, get it into your mind, your heart, and allow it to direct your life.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Proverbs 2:1-8
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry.
