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If our focus is on Jesus and His kingdom, the true light, then how we look at others and the world around us will all be full of light.
If you serve in the tech department in the church, one of the primary jobs is to help people “see.” The composition of the camera, how the shots are lit, how graphics are designed, what parts of the message are to be highlighted, etc., all play a part in helping the voyeur direct their focus to what is important. In some sense, you are playing the part of the eyes of the body.
But, as Jesus indicates, “how” we see is much more important than “what” we see. What’s interesting to note in the verse above about the eye being the lamp of the body is that it is sandwiched between two verses talking about money.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
This first section states that if we store our treasure in heaven, our hearts will be there, implying that we will be in the light. The second part of the sandwich or the last verse, below, states that if we serve God and not money, we will be in the light.
“If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” – Matthew 6:23-24
Your focal point
I think He’s asking us, “Where is your focus?” Is it on earthly things or heavenly things? Are our desires for money and self, or for serving God? Anything that takes our primary focus in our lives has the potential of ruling over us. So if God takes that place, our intentions become clear and we are in the light.
Another translation states, “if your eye is evil, your body will be full of darkness.” Or stated another way, “if your eye is focused on the wrong things, it will corrupt your heart and you won’t be able to see clearly.”
Introductory classes on photography and cinematography will tell you that the eye is attracted to the lightest portions of the screen or the print. Our eyes are automatically drawn toward the light. It’s how God designed us! However, the devil masquerades as an “angel of light.” He’s kinda like fool’s gold. It may look good initially, but it’s essentially worthless. C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun—not because I can see it, but because by it, I can see everything else.”
Are we judging ourselves and them according to the flesh, to their inadequacies, mistakes, or sinful nature? Or can we get our eyes off the shadows, and see them as God sees them?
How do you see?
If our job in the body of Christ is to help people to “see,” then I think it is very important that we evaluate how we see. How do you see your job? How do you see yourself? How do you look at your boss? How do you look at your employees and co-workers? Are they a means to an end, or is there some greater reason God has destined that before the foundations of the world, you would work together?
If our focus is on Jesus and His kingdom, the true light, then how we look at others and the world around us will all be full of light. 2 Corinthians 5:15-16 says, “he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.”
Since we no longer live for ourselves, this affects “how” we see others, as well. Regard no one according to the flesh? The flesh is often associated with darkness, which can be equated with shadows, right? If that is the case, then “how” are we perceiving others around us, including our employees, co-workers, and ourselves? Are we judging ourselves and them according to the flesh, to their inadequacies, mistakes, or sinful nature? Or can we get our eyes off the shadows, and see them as God sees them? Can we see our collective latent potential, then speak to that potential so as to draw it forth? I think we can and we must!
Into action
Jeremiah 15:19 states, “if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman.” I love this verse because it tell us “how” to see. Extracting the precious from the worthless. The earth is filled with the Glory of God, yet it’s also filled with horrible things. How we set our focus is what we will be drawn towards, and God will honor us to be His spokesperson.
So, let’s set our focus on the things of God. Let’s see each other from God’s perspective, calling forth the gifts in one another. Let’s treat one another as sons and daughters of God, worthy of the highest admiration and respect, no matter their position in the workplace.
I have a hunch, if we focus on the light in one another, we just might be seen as being known for our love for one another. And I think Jesus said something about that. Let’s have healthy eyes and be full of light!
