“No amount of self-talk or willpower can change us if we are seeing things incorrectly. Our good intentions and vows to be better don’t make us better. . . . Seeing is what matters. What we see. How we see. If we see.”- Alan Wright (emphasis author’s)
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:12 (NIV)
In his Introduction to his latest book, Seeing as Jesus Sees: How a New Perspective Can Defeat the Darkness and Awaken Joy, Alan Wright notes that most people focus on doing. Yet, seeing is what really matters. Because, Pastor Wright points out, what we think, feel and behave gets shaped by how we see ourselves, others, and the world.
Therefore, Alan advocates praying this little prayer throughout the day. The prayer = Jesus, how do you see this? A little prayer brief enough for a single breath. But deep enough to reveal glory.
Above all, Pastor Wright exhorts, when we open our eyes there’s almost no limit to how much we can change. And just like Jesus opened the eyes of the Emmaus disciples in an instant, Jesus can change us like that. It’s grace at work to see as Jesus sees. We must yearn for that kind of eye-opening grace. Rather than tire out as we try to live better by our own strength.
In conclusion, Alan counsels:
“Not much will change until [we] begin to see everything differently. For Christians who want to grow spiritually, it seems natural to ask, ‘What would Jesus do?’ But that’s the wrong question fro the same reason that trying to live by the law is the wrong pursuit — it’s powerless. To want Jesus’ eyes is to welcome a massive shift of focus.”
Today’s question: Do you agree with Alan Wright that seeing is what matters – more than doing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Life through Jesus’ eyes”
