seeing eyeS, hearing earS

It's not backwards. I meant to do that. I meant to capitalize the Ss in the title. I know, usually, initial letters are capitalized. Not in this 'case'. The final letter in the two words are capitalized to emphasize and draw attention to their plurality---more than one!

God gave us two eyes and two ears. We seem to work better that way. We seem to have better visual acuity, peripheral range, depth perception, auditory definition and acoustical acumen with the concerted use of a pair.......one eye working with the other and one ear working with its mate. Each member of a pair complements or better completes the function and service of the other (after all, God even made a pair of human beings in this manner). We are replete in our physical makeup in this fashion---i.e., arms, legs, lungs, etc. To put it in a nutshell, in this way, we have a better sense of balance. Of course, this speaks of the laws of physics and the natural man, but, how about our spiritual eyes and ears?

Many years ago, I was sitting at home on a Saturday afternoon eating a hamburger when I was impressed to take a drive downtown. I don't think I even finished my burger. I went downtown and came across a man preaching on the corner. I befriended this street preacher (I called him Z---short for Zowaskie) and ended up attending several Bible studies at his home. Z had a term for not giving God your full attention or for not completely committing your spiritual life to God. He called it "half-steppin".

Many people today want to know God and to have a blessed life (there is such a thing). Many people today want to have a purpose-driven life and be able to expect God's guidance. However, many of these same people are only using one spiritual eye and one spiritual ear (if any at all)---'half-steppin'. This usually ends up as paying impersonal homage to God or scratching a religious itch (conviction) or trying a spiritual formula---which usually ends up formalized and ritualistic. Moreover, they end up with a lack of Godly vision and direction. Let's face it, you can't know God just by reading a book, going to church or saying a prayer once in awhile ...or even as a programmed agenda.

One of my favorite quotes came from a minister I've known for years and respect a lot. I remember him saying, "God does not reveal himself to the casual inquirer"! Conversely, if two people ate lunch together everyday, they would, without fail, get to know each other better---and better and better. So it is in the spiritual realm. Our full set of eyes and ears must be attuned, daily, to God to know Him better and what His will and ways are. This is why, in Isaiah 30.21, the prophet wrote "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." A key to good hearing and seeing, however, is revealed in a previous verse in that same chapter. Verse 15 says, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Elijah did not hear the Lord in the strong wind, or the quaking earth, or the blazing fire. He did hear Him as a still small voice (I Kings 19.11-12). Anyone can hear a strong wind, anyone can see an earthquake, and anyone can hear and see fire. But, you must get quiet to hear the still small voice.

A rabbit is generally regarded as a victim of prey. He is , however, equipped with large eyes set laterally on his head. This gives the rabbit excellent peripheral vision for detecting and evading predators before it is too late. We, too, must have good peripheral vision as our enemy walks about as a roaring lion seeking those whom he may devour---those not paying attention and using their spiritual vision. Proverbs says that where there is no vision, the people perish.
This means that without spiritual guidance and insight, people are without direction and focus and will ultimately wander without purpose, naked to the influences of the world and wiles of the enemy, vulnerable to be blown about by every wind. Spiritual perception is important in this hour as depth perception is important to our natural vision. Depth perception or three dimensional sight is when each eye sends its own view to our brain. The two views are sent simultaneously and are combined to produce one image or one big picture. This three dimensional visual ability is called stereoscopic vision. The word stereoscopic comes from the Greek word stereos (from which we also get the word stereophonic). The word stereos means firm or solid. With stereoscopic vision, depth perception, we have a much better view of the world around us and can maneuver through life with greater ease and confidence (try threading a needle or pouring a glass of water with one eye closed). So it is in the spiritual realm. Spiritual perception allows us to discern the times we live in (see the big picture) as well as live a firm, solid, healthy, focused life. You can't do that on your own. But, with both spiritual eyes open and both spiritual ears listening (in stereo) in the right direction you can. Half-steppin will not do it, but, by reason of use our senses are exercised and developed for clear discernment (Hebrews 5.14) and good balance.
It is by reason of use that a musician has trained his ear to discern what is harmonic balance--or more commonly stated, that which is in tune--being neither sharp or flat.
The other night driving down the road, I decided to play a cd. Now, I don't have a built-in cd player in my car so I use a portable one played through the tape cassette via a power cord from the power outlet. Well, I turned it on and something just didn't sound right. It didn't sound full and balanced---harmonic. Something was missing. I discovered that the cord from the cd player to the tape cassette was only half in and , therefore, coming through only one speaker. After plugging it in completely, the sound was....of course....twice as good....full and resonant. (That's how I got the idea for this writing). This is how we must be in our spiritual lives----totally plugged in for the life described in Ephesians 3.16-20 to hear and see totally and receive fully from God.