It’s a rather complicated process, the way we perceive shapes and colors around us and make sense of our world. But God’s design for sight is perfect … as long as all the elements are working as they should.

Light enters our eyes through the cornea, the clear outer layer, which bends it as it passes through. When it enters the pupil (the black opening in the center of the iris), muscles in the iris adjust the size of the pupil in response to the intensity of the light. From there it travels to the lens, where it is bent a second time and flipped upside down. Passing through the vitreous (a jelly-like clear substance behind the lens), it goes to the retina, where nerves called photoreceptors transform the light rays into electrical impulses. Made up of rods and cones, the photoreceptors enable us to see shapes and colors.

But we are not there yet! Sight is dependent upon another critical step. The nerves of the retina collect all the electrical impulses and send them through the optic nerve—a bundle of one million nerve cells at the back of the eye—to the occipital lobe of the brain. The brain must turn the light signals into images we can “see” (recognize). The connection between the eye and the brain completes our vision process.   

So, what is the spiritual take-away from this glimpse into the complexity of sight in our human bodies? The most obvious conclusion is that this process could NOT have developed randomly. Every part of the human body (not just the eye) testifies to the design of One far greater than anything we find in the natural world. But for this devotional, I want us to focus on this: The process by which we perceive spiritual reality and our dependence upon the Holy Spirit to interpret what we are seeing.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote: “I keep asking that the Father … will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so you can know [the Lord Jesus] better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Paul identified some essential spiritual elements that will enable us to know Jesus Christ and to grow in Him. The first important element is that we need the Holy Spirit, who will give us wisdom and revelation, to perceive the truths about God that are all around us. The Spirit acts like the brain in our physical bodies … interpreting the shapes and colors our eyes have taken in as light rays and enabling us to make sense of them. When Paul prays that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, he is essentially asking the Lord to give them inspiration, understanding, and wisdom that comes only through the Holy Spirit.

We have a part to play in the process of spiritual vision as well. We must ensure our spiritual eyes are in good working order—no impediments to blur or obscure the information we are taking in. The health of our eyes is maintained by regular checkups, good nutrition, protection from injuries, corrective measures when needed, and adequate rest. We can decide what kinds of things we watch, how we invest our time, and the information we seek out. If we want to know God better and understand the spiritual realities we are encountering, we will fill our minds and fix our eyes on what is eternal, true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. The psalmist prayed, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (Psalm 119:37).

So often we don’t discipline ourselves when it comes to what we look at and focus on. Proverbs 4:25-26 advises us to pay attention and make choices that will enhance our spiritual life: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

Returning to the passage in Ephesians 1, let’s consider not just how the eyes of our hearts are enlightened but also what Paul wants us to receive. This is important, because these truths—imparted to us by the Holy Spirit—will enable us to stand firm in our faith in the coming year. Paul prays that we may know…

1. The hope to which [God] has called us.
2. The riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
3. His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Spiritual hope. Riches. Power. These are incredibly important truths we can live in the reality of, if we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. In another passage in Romans 8, Paul writes that Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Because of Him, we are “more than conquerors” even when surrounded by trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, or danger. No matter what our circumstances may be like, we still have hope, spiritual riches, and the power of God’s Spirit to sustain us. He will carry us through anything we face in 2023.

So let’s rejoice in our spiritual inheritance. Let’s seek to know God and His ways in a deeper way by inviting the Holy Spirit to interpret the images we see around us in the light of eternity. Let’s invest our time in His Word, His kingdom, and His revealed will for our lives. Let’s love others out of the abundance He has poured into us and watch for His return with expectation and joy.

We have all we need to see clearly … we must simply avail ourselves of His resources. May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened through the wisdom and revelation of His Spirit!

Lord Jesus, thank you for your great love and mercy. Thank you for the hope, the riches, and the power you promise to provide as I serve you in the coming year. Show me the areas where I need to discipline myself and help me to fix my eyes on what is eternally important from your perspective. I want to please you in all things. Give me the spiritual insight that I need through the inspiration of your Spirit. I look forward to this new year with you! Amen.