Binocular Vision

Well, it's been a while since I have been inspired to write a devotion, but that probably fits in well with the theme of this one.

Lately, I've been feeling rather isolated. Granted, I think it's mostly self-imposed. But a funny thing happens when you get isolated. You get binocular vision.

I have something like a gazillion e-mail addresses, each with a different purpose. (well, ok, it's like 4, but feels like a whole heck of a lot.) I have a couple that are just for signing up on websites where I'm likely to get spammed, etc. As a result, I don't always check all my e-mail addresses. In fact, I rarely check most of them now days. But that means they get filled up with lots of things while I don't check them.

Today, I was going through one old account. In this account, I get several newsletters relating to ministry and such. It's a good way to keep in touch and stay fresh. But if you don't check it, it just takes up virtual space. So I was cleaning out the mailbox today, and I was reading some of the newsletters and such. I came across this link.

http://www.youthspecialties.com/ourfavoritevideos/vid_010808.php

This is a clip from one of the numerous Japanese TV shows. It shows a group of people trying to play soccer while wearing binoculars. It's pretty funny, you should watch it.

While watching this clip, it struck me at the similarities in life. Binoculars are good for seeing things far away. But they are not meant for everyday use. As you watch them play soccer, you can see the difficulties they have even finding the ball. Their field of vision has become too small. And even when they find the ball, when they try to kick, they can't. Why? Their perspective is out of whack.

So thinking back on my own life, I can see where I have been doing similar things. I put on my "spiritual" binoculars, but then I forget to take them off. Then I try to go about my own life, but I'm confused, running around, trying to find my "ball". My field of vision has become too small. When I isolate myself, or even limit myself to one group or one set of opinions, it's like wearing binoculars. My personal tendencies is to get caught up in details. Trying to figure out what God is doing, or things like that. But I'm missing the game that's happening right in front of me. It's not that I need to throw away the binoculars. Just use them for the purpose they were designed for, but take them off for the rest of the time.

So, I guess my prayer for us is, wisdom in knowing when binocular vision helps us, and when it hinders us.