I have never been able to see 20/20 on the eye chart. In fact, remove my contacts and I can’t even see the big letter at the top. Oh, I know it’s there. But to me, it is like a big black smudge.

It’s gotten to be a bit of joke when my husband says “Do you see what I see?” knowing good and well that I don’t. However, in an effort to achieve perfect vision over the years, I have tried glasses, contacts and even lasik eye surgery. Nothing got me seeing 20/20. The best I could ever see was 20/25.

“2020-The Year of Perfect Vision”

With this new year, I’m hoping my inabilities won’t keep me from reaching my goals. Perfect vision has never been something I was capable of. But I’m looking at it differently this year. I’m not shooting for perfect vision for my physical eyes, I am looking for perfect vision for my spiritual ones.

If you’ve been reading my blogs throughout Christmas, then you know, one of the things I would like to do differently is to take Christmas with me into this new year. I don’t want it to end with Jesus in the manger. God did an incredible thing that night and I want to remain in a state of expectation of what God is about to do in my life.

Matthew 2:1-2 NIV says, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Scripture tells us that the Jews already expected the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem. So when these Magi saw the star, they knew it was announcing that the King of the Jews had been born. They knew because they were expecting it to happen and they were looking for the sign.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is “Do you hear what I hear.” (I’ve included the YouTube at the bottom of this message.)

If I’m going to achieve perfect vision in 2020 by strengthening my spiritual eyes, I’m going to need a little light. Thankfully, in John 8:12, Jesus tells us,“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

The Magi saw the light in that star and they followed it all the way to the manger. They heard about it, they saw it and they went expecting to find the Messiah. Once they found him, they knew. They had experienced Jesus, the King of Kings. There was no other response but to worship him.

Here are a few ways we can increase the light in our lives;

1. See. See Jesus in creation, in other people, in the Word and in song.
2. Hear. Hear about Jesus in Bible stories, in hymns and through other people’s testimonies of God working in their lives.
3. Know. Cultivate a relationship with God. Get to know God through prayer, meditation, the Word, worship service, the sacraments and fellowship with others.
4. Expect. Expect God to meet you right where you are and to do amazing things in your life. Write down in a journal what you are expecting God to do. Date it. Pray over it and believe God for it.

If we are going to achieve perfect vision in 2020, then we need to shine a little light on it. We need to see Jesus in our lives, hear him calling and know that we are loved. Expect God to do amazing things in your life this year.

Let us pray; Dear Lord, I want to see you for who you are. I want to hear you with my own ears and know that you are God of my life. Thank you that you are the light of the world. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M