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Life Lessons from Mighty Men: Spiritual Night Vision (11:1-40)  For thousands of years, pretty much since God said, “Let there be light,” seeing clearly was something that was done only during the day. After all, even with a torch, there was only so much that a person could see. Eventually, with the advent of electricity and light bulbs daytime could be anytime 24 hours a day. Only recently since World War Two, however, with the innovation of night vision technology has one been able to see at night without the aid of light-generating device. As one produce of night vision produces, Morovision states, night vision “takes the small amount of light, such as moonlight or starlight, that is in the surrounding area, and converts the light energy (scientists call it photons), into electrical energy (electrons). As the electrons travel through and strike the walls of the channels, thousands more electrons are released. These multiplied electrons then bounce off of a phosphor screen which converts the electrons back into photons and lets you see an impressive nighttime view even when it's really dark.”1 Hebrews 1 gives us a Biblical definition and examples of sort of a “Spiritual Night Vision.” Faith, according to Hebrews 11, is the ability to be convinced of something that is not physically seen. Without faith it is like stepping into a dark room, unable to see the furniture, the walls, or the chair that is in your way. With faith is like stepping into the same dark room and being able to navigate the room without stubbing your tow or banging your shin because despite the obstacles in your way because of night vision. There are many things in our lives as men that begin to cloud our vision. Our own issues, our own sins, temptation, discouragement, fear, and life in general can all combine to diminish and all but blind our vision. Faith is what enables us to see things as they really are. Faith enabled Noah to build an ark despite the fact that it had never rained. Faith enabled Abraham to produce a son, despite the fact that he was an old man. Faith enabled Moses to lead the children of Israel, despite the fact that he was an adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Faith is what enables us to see that Christ rose from the dead, despite the fact that that is obviously impossible. The next time that you are struggling to see your way, maybe it is time to put on your faith vision goggles. Questions for Discussion/Reflection 1. What things are there in your life that threaten to cloud your vision? 2. Why is it difficult for us to be confident of things that we cannot see physically? 3. Choose 1 person who is described in Hebrews 11 and read more about them in the Old Testament. How can you emulate their example of faith in your life? 1MoroVision website http://www.morovision.com/hownightvisionworks.htm accessed on July 18, 2010 Staff Writer: Aaron Sharp |
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