Ayn Rand, a Russian-born female American writer and philosopher once remarked: “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received - hatred. The great creators - the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors - stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anaesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won.” Habakkuk 2:2 confirms: And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
Vision can relate to several derivations. It has not only been defined as the faculty or state of being able to see but, also the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. It may include such attributes as perception, understanding, innovation and creativity. Without vision, the world would remain stagnant. New inventions would not exist and forward thinking would be obsolete. Vision provides a purpose in life, it is essential to future success. Daniel 7:13-14 reminds us: “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Visual acuity is a measure of the ability of the eye to distinguish or denote shapes, letters or objects at a given distance and identify, subject to available light conditions, the applicable relevance of each. Sight is considered as one of the five major senses and is of significant importance. For many people, protection of the eyes is of critical standing in bright conditions to avoid glare, which may cloud vision, or possible damage to the eyes if exposed for long periods.
Sunglasses, which can aid vision and clarity, were reportedly invented by James Ayscough and have been in existence since 1752. They are often considered fashionable items that can make a statement about the wearer and can serve a defined purpose. They usually consist of metal or plastic frames specifically designed to attach over the ears and nose utilizing an outer frame to include and hold two colored lenses which sit directly in front of the eyes. These reduce the intensity of light from sunshine or other bright sources to a safer and more acceptable level. Modern-day designs usually afford a level of protection against ultraviolet rays.
In the Bible, vision has often been related to a personal encounter with God, where a particular message or vision has been imparted to an individual either directly or through dreams. Numbers 12:6 confirms: And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a
dream.”
The story of Moses and the burning bush which is narrated in Exodus 3:1-10 is a classic example of how God has the ability to communicate directly: “Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
The vision of God to save His people from slavery through concern, love, and compassion was initially partially rejected by Moses, as many new ideas are by those who lack faith in a new idea or concept. He not only had doubts that he was the right person for the enormous task enthralled upon him, but he probably also feared the difficulties that lay ahead. He justly considered the problems that may be encountered through the possible lack of faith of the Israelites. Verse 13 continues: “Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
True understanding requires both an element of perception and the ability to listen in silence. Silence allows the important elements of a statement to be listened to without distractions, thereby enhancing the chances of clarification. It often requires both knowledge of ourselves, and perhaps more importantly, understanding the needs of God. Moses not only had to come to terms with the vision of God but, be reassured that God would be with him throughout the future difficulties to be encountered. Nicholas Sparks, an American novelist once remarked: “We sit silently and watch the world around us. This has taken a lifetime to learn. It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another and not say anything and still feel content. The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence. It is a waste, for silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking. This is the great paradox.”The burning bush storyline represents the power and energy that can be portrayed by the miraculous strength of God. It also illuminates both reverence and fear from a mere mortal when addressing God. Hebrews 12:28 confirms: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”
Amen.
