READ: MARK 10:46-52; 1 PETER 2:9

"Mom, look!” The whole drive home from the eye doctor, I kept pointing at the world outside the car window. For the very first time, I could read the billboards over the interstate and make out the vibrant green leaves on the trees. Everything that was once dull and blurry had become bright and detailed.

But as the weeks and months went on, my glasses grew smudged and dusty—an inevitable byproduct of sticky fingers and many childhood adventures. So, I would climb down the stairs to my dad’s office and pull out a small bottle of glass cleaner from his desk. A few swipes of a rag later, the world was clear again.

In a similar way, the moment I made a decision to follow Jesus, a veil was lifted. The whole world around me became clear, vibrant, and beautiful. But over time, my spiritual vision became clogged and dusty again. Sin, struggles, shame—all of these smudged my spiritual glasses.

In order to see myself, the world, and God clearly, I have to step into His presence and reacquaint myself with the truths of His Word. When we stop cleaning our spiritual glasses, we forget how clear and detailed the world can be. Soon all we see are smudges and dust. But God waits patiently for us to turn our gaze to Him so that we might see clearly again. • Janise Holmes

• If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing that He died and rose again to save us from sin and death, we have His Holy Spirit living within us. The Holy Spirit transforms us and helps us see everything through the lens of the gospel, or good news. How does the gospel affect the way we see ourselves, the world, and God? (For more about the gospel, check out our "Know Jesus" page.)

• We all have times when it’s hard to see clearly, especially when we’re hurting or weary or when we’ve experienced something really hard or confusing. But God longs to remind us of the truth of His love. What are some ways you can be intentional about spending time with God this week and being refreshed in His presence through reading or listening to His Word, talking with Him in prayer, and gathering with His people?

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (CSB)