Imperfect Vision

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Have you ever been out doing errands in your car and been caught by a surprise rain shower? I certainly have! Once when that happened, I regretted the fact that I hadn’t replaced my pitiful windshield wipers. I had meant to take care of that job, but I got busy with other things. Now, my windshield was so blurry that my vision was impaired. The people driving behind me probably wondered why I kept bobbing my head all around. “I’m so sorry, drivers! I’m just trying to find a clear spot on my windshield so I can see the highway!”

In today’s verse from 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul explains that our earthly vision is imperfect compared to the eternal vision we will receive when we see the Lord face to face. As a child, when someone much wiser than I would say she couldn’t wait to go to heaven, I had to keep from rolling my eyes. I’d think, What’s wrong with her? That’s the last thing I want to do right now. I was having too much fun as a child, and there was so much more I hadn’t experienced.

Thankfully, I have a different perspective now. As my responsibilities and heartaches have increased over the years, I understand what they were longing for. It will be wonderful to be in heaven one day and see Christ clearly—just as clearly as He sees us now.

Let’s be encouraged and thankful that God sees us with perfect vision and loves us. Read Psalm 139 to see how well God knows each of us.