New Kind of Vision

“Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

When I was a kid I had really amazing eyesight. In college I learned that it was 20/15. That means that whatever was 20’ away looked like it was only 15’ away to me. I’m guessing my vision was even better as a child. Good vision is a blessing, indeed.
My son, unfortunately, was born legally blind. Severe birth trauma robbed him of his sight. We didn’t learn of his handicap until he was about 18 months old. After all he had been through as a kid, it was hard to have another obstacle. Yet, given all he had been through, we felt blessed that was the only major permanent setback.
We learned that what Alex lacked in eyesight he more than made up for in his ability to hear. He could listen to multiple conversations at once and even hear what was being said in rooms down the hall. For all of what was taken from him, God gifted Alex in unique ways.
This type of phenomenon is widely experienced among those with poor eyesight. In 1998 a study confirmed what many already knew by experience – namely that the brains of those with poor eyesight seem to be “rearranged” in order to move brainpower from processing visual to auditory information. This fascinating study revealed the power of God’s work in making our brains so adaptable.
The prophet Joel suggests that when God’s Spirit comes we become “rearranged.” Old men – those usually worn-down by life and too tired to adapt – they dream dreams of what is to come. Young men envision a world in God’s love. Progression toward the beauty of God’s perfection fills our life and brings us hope.
During these months, we acknowledge that God’s vision changes and grows. We seek a new vision at Sheridan. I ask for your prayers that God’s Spirit will continue to descend upon us and that God’s hand might rearrange our hearts to be more oriented toward His will for our life together.

This devotion was written by Pastor Greg Bouvier.