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Swarovski. I'm not sure how much that name means to you, if it means anything at all. Some of you may know nothing about Swarovski.
For most women, when they hear this phrase will conjure up images of jewelry, watches and crystal decorations. This is, in fact, the first website that popped up when I Googled the name.
However, for many men, especially those who are hunting enthusiasts, the name Swarovski is synonymous with optics. Swarovski is the maker/manufacturer of some of the best optics on the market including binoculars, scopes and spotting scopes.
Why do I bring this up? Because, although I don't own a pair, I've met a few folks in my life who do and have allowed me to look through them on occasion.
On a recent trip to New Mexico, a group of us were standing around outside after dinner before the sun set, attempting to spot elk in the surrounding mountains. Please understand that I love my binoculars and they are a pretty good pair. However, when another guy in our camp produced his Swarovski's and allowed us to look through them, it was a night/day difference.
The best analogy I could make is that it would be akin to the difference between watching television on any common television now vs. watching it in the 1980s. Modern day resolution and technology is completely advanced and is much clearer to view.
The same thing occurred when I looked through his binoculars. I could see things that were only fuzzy in mine. Elk that were completely overlooked through my binoculars stood out like a sore thumb. I could not only tell if it was a bull elk, but count the points on each side and see where he was looking.
When my wife was introduced to Swarovski binoculars at a middle school football game, she could not only see the facial gestures of the players through their facemasks, but she also mentioned that the referee had a fly on his shirt! It truly is amazing what you can see when your vision is clear and focused.
What happens when you focus your life on Jesus? Do you begin to see things more clearly or does your life lose focus?
Jesus Christ states that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. If this is the case, then if you are a follower of Jesus, he is the lens through which we must see everything else. When you walk with Jesus, you begin to figuratively see with more clarity.
Jesus had an amazing ability to see with clarity when he was on this earth. He saw the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in relation to the law. He saw the potential in the disciples when they had no idea of the potential in themselves. He saw Judas for the betrayal he was about to commit. Jesus saw truth of the woman at the well. Jesus saw the faith of the friends who lowered their paraplegic buddy on a mat through the roof of a house just to meet with him. He saw the thief on the cross and yet declared to him: Today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus sees you as well. Do you see him? If you do, everything you see will be through him. And when you do, the clarity of your life will come into focus in a way that you will have never seen before.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Scott Garman, pastor of Cedar Heights Brethren in Christ Church in Mill Hall.