The Miracle of Eyesight

#5 on the Enneagram: fives are alert, insightful, and curious…they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. Yes, I am a 5, and I’m about to take you on a journey into my mind. Some days are just crazier in there than others as I’m about to show you.

The other night as I was out with my dog, Max, a man walked by. As he passed, I noticed he was wearing glasses. (I do, as well, by the way.) Which got me thinking - this is where the bizarre comes in. How old were the disciples and Paul when they wrote their gospels and letters? So, of course, being the 5 that I am, I had to go and find out. And I learned that the guys would have been, as best as I can understand, anywhere from 30-60 years old when they wrote their “dissertations,” except for John who was, most likely, in his 80s. Which brought me to the question: Did God give them exemplary eyesight in order for them to write, what we now know as, the New Testament? 

This took me to, then, research when glasses were invented. Here’s what I learned: they were not around during the time of Jesus; however, it was the Romans, during that time, who discovered that different thicknesses of glass could cause clarity when looking through them. The rest is history.

I’m going to have surgery sometime in the near future. Two years ago I went to an ophthalmologist because my right eye was seeing double. Well, as comes with age, I discovered that I have cataracts and macular degeneration. In both eyes; the right being the worst. I was offered surgery, but as is so typical of me, I turned it down with the promise that I would let them know when I was ready. I mean, I could see out of my left eye perfectly with my glasses. It was just the right eye…that has continued to get more and more blurry. Yep, it’s fairly useless now. 

Anyways, I’ve been wearing corrective lenses since I was in my 40s. I’m not sure, without glasses, that I could write a text, let alone a detailed account of my life with the Son of God. But the disciples did. With extraordinary detail and clarity. Words that, unbeknownst to them, would change the world. 

I was astounded by this awareness. I mean, what are the chances, if I’ve got this right, that all eight guys had good, if not, perfect vision? In their 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s? Slim to none. So, I’m thinking that there’s another miracle in this. The miracle of eyesight in order for the story of salvation to be read and heard for generations to come. 

And I’m so crazy moved by this knowledge. That God, once again, demonstrated his attention to detail. Especially when it came to his message of love to the world. That, no matter what the natural sequence of life would bring, he did, does and will step into our lives to make sure that nothing gets in the way of bringing the good news of the gospel.

So, I’m going to be thinking about this when I go under the knife…or laser…or whatever they do to fix my eyes. When I’m ready. I’m going to celebrate the writers of the New Testament and the invention of this procedure. And looking - literally - for more ways that I can use my new functioning eyes to join with the clear-eyed disciples in writing and telling about the love of God.