Visual acuity of 20/20 is considered “perfect vision” because no aids are required to see better. You are probably thinking 2020 was nowhere near perfect. However, I do think you could agree it opened our eyes to so much.
We have been living with less than 20/20 vision for a while now. Putting ourselves before others, lifting up people in Hollywood and sports figures as idols, planning our lives out to a T. 2020 opened our eyes, showing us money can't save us, job security isn't promised, our plans aren't always reliable, media is not always trustworthy, the entertainment industry is made up of humans just like us, and life as we know it can be shaken in a blink of an eye.
I can't help but think what the common denominator may be that has caused our vision to get blurry over the years. Here's a list of a few reasons.
World says, “be the first”
God says, “the first shall be the last and the last shall be the first”
World says, “get all you can”
God says, “give to the poor”
World says, “look out for yourself”
God says, “consider others ahead of yourself”
World says, “fight for your rights”
God says, “blessed are the peacemakers”
World says, “power and domination”
God says, “submission and servanthood”
World says, “revenge your enemies”
God says, “forgive and pray for your enemies”
World says, “take and give”
God says, “give and you will be given”
World says, “he who gains the whole world wins”
God says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul?”
World says, “if it makes you feel good, do it”
God says, “be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise”
World says, “always pursue honor, recognition, and greatness in all you do”
God says, “all the honors belong to God”
World says, “trust your own capabilities and strengths to get you through life”
God says, “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding”
World says, “seeing is believing”
God says, “believing is seeing”
-nettygultom
I think it is fair to say we have been living the way the world wants, not the way our creator intended. I am the first to admit I have been swayed by the ways of this world. It has caused me great heartache and pain. Sometimes my ideas, desires, thoughts seemed like the best things to do at the time, not thinking of consequences or what happens next. If only I would have been stronger in my faith and thought what God would have wanted me to do, I realize all the problems I could have avoided. Now imagine if our whole world thought more about how our creator intended us to live instead of how the world persuades us to live. The amount of heartache and pain we could have avoided.
My hope for 2021 is that we are slower to anger, slower to judge and ridicule, more open to others beliefs, understanding and overall look at one another with love and compassion, not hate and discord. It's time to be a peacemaker in this unpeaceful time and start putting others first, living in a manner that is not about ourselves.
As we transition into this new year, remember people can have better than 20/20 vision. Many young people are able to see letters smaller than the general “20/20” size. Which means we have the tools, the capabilities and knowledge to see clearer in this year ahead. So here's to 2021, let us be lead by the right reasons, let us see the world for what it is and let us live a life more Godlike.
Your Girl Next Door and So Much More,
Danika Tramburg