Finding Focus in a World of Random Dots

For the Chimes Newsletter
By Pastor Gary Lewis

I have been trying to take a few more steps into the online world in recent weeks. The steps have been uncertain and shaky at times, but I am trying to persevere. It seems to be coming together all at once. I made Facebook the home page of one of my search engines and that has helped me to keep up with our church family. To be honest, though, I sometimes don’t know what to say. (And if you know anything about me this is very rare in real life.)

I updated my twitter account and my blog. You can find me at twitter@PastorWGL. So far, I have only one “follower.” (Thanks to my daughter Sarah.) My blog address is www.garylewis05.blogspot.com.

So what this means is that on one computer screen, I can now log into my Facebook account, read my e-mail, post my written work to my blog and figure out what a “tweet” is supposed to be all about!

Not bad for someone still trying to master the art of chewing gum and walking at the same time.

I have found the key to being able to do many things at once is not brilliance or electronic wizardry or even terrifying efficiency – the key to that ability is focus. And what is focus? Author/futurist Leonard Sweet calls it “the integration of peripheral vision.”

Peripheral vision means achieving a sharper focus of the world around us. In the 1990s, “Magic Eyes” books were very popular. Although I’m not very good at it, those seemingly random dots can become highly focused three-dimensional images. Once you “get it,” a whole new world of experience opens to you. No matter what you think you’re seeing or how well you think you’re seeing, there is more to be revealed.

Another term to describe this focus is vision – the ability to see what could be within the realms of the here and now. Jesus did this all the time. He had amazing focus through peripheral vision. He brought into focus the smallest and the least even while addressing the cosmic concerns of his ministry.

In the midst of serving an anxious, pressing, crowd he could feel the touch of the hemorrhaging woman and focus on her needs. In the midst of teaching his chosen disciples, he could connect with the tiny children running underfoot and focus on their needs. In the midst of preaching to and healing a huge throng of people, he could hear the hungry rumblings of empty stomachs and focus on that need.

It is my belief that we can capture such a vision. The choice is ours. We can go through life looking at random dots and flat surfaces. Or, through patient observance of prayer and Christian fellowship, we can experience three-dimensional images of hope and ministry to others.

My prayer is that each of us will be able to see with the deep vision of faith in God. Look deep and hard, with a confident faith in God. Together, we can find ways to bring the Good News of God’s love to a seemingly flat and hurting world full of random dots.