I have very poor vision. Went into glasses at the age of eight. Contacts at 15. Added reading glasses at the age of, er, um, well, just sometime after that! Without the contacts, things come into focus just a few inches from my face. Reading glasses will extend that vision for another foot or so...depending on the type size.
Suffice it to say that I don't have 20/20 vision. Not even close.
Joseph's brothers were afflicted with a similar problem. At the end of Genesis we find that Joseph's brothers have had to come to Egypt to get food. Joseph recognizes them but they have can't see what is standing right in front of them - their brother. Once Joseph reveals himself they are worried that he will want to exact his revenge for all that they had done to him a lifetime ago.
Thankfully Joseph is more farsighted than that and he told them,
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.This is what I've often heard referred to as 50:20 vision. Joseph took the long view of his life and recognized how God had cared for him, provided for him, and used him in the land of Egypt...even placing him in the exact spot he would need to be in order to help his brothers and their families. No need to hold a grudge when you are looking through God's eyes.
Let's all pray today that regardless of how we can see with our eyes (with or without help!), we are able to develop 50:20 vision...that we will be able to see past the end of our own noses. That we will look for ways that God is going ahead of us and preparing to use us. And that we will rejoice in seeing all that He has done in our lives.
- Holly Barrett
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