EYE EXAM: INSIGHT – PART 2

Hindsight deals with our past. Insight deals with our present. Insight is being able to look and see what something really means and apply it to our present situation. Insight is essential to deal with both everyday situations and to help us prepare for good foresight.

The Bible says, “A wise man sees evil and hides himself. A wicked man simply proceeds and pays the penalty.” (Proverbs 27:12) Insight makes us wise and becomes a preventive asset, enabling us to see something, evaluate what it means, and react to it.

I remember taking algebra in high school. I wasn’t very good at algebra. I had a difficult time spelling it, and an even more difficult time doing it!

The teacher would write those long formulas on the board containing letters and numbers and an equal sign. She would then turn to the class and say, “Do you see it?”

I could see every letter and number she had written on the board. What I couldn’t see (or understand) was how she got the answer. Seeing letters and numbers didn’t guarantee that I would be able to take letters and numbers on an exam and make them come out to be the correct answer. I had to develop insight.

One day, Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming. He answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, there it is.’ Behold the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20,21)

Life would be easier if God just wrote big signs in front of us that we couldn’t miss. But that’s not the way He normally works. God always has an answer, but it’s not like we have to see an explosion in the sky or bushes burning. Insight is being able to see what we need to see and act on what it means. Jesus was constantly asking folks, “Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes, do you not see?” (Mark 8:17, 18)

I heard that on a four-engine airliner, the pilot’s voice came across the intercom saying “most of you on the left side of the plane have probably noticed that one of our engines has failed. Do not be alarmed. We can still fly on three engines, but we will probably arrive about 15 minutes late.”

A few minutes later, the pilot’s calm voice was heard again. “Those of you on the right side of the plane are probably aware that a second engine has failed. Do not be alarmed. We can make it on two engines although we will be at least 30 minutes late now.”

A few minutes later, the pilot again spoke to his passengers. “It has just come to my attention that a third engine has failed. Please do not be alarmed. We can make it to the airport on one engine. However, we will arrive approximately 45 minutes late.”

One passenger turned to another and said, “Boy, I hope that fourth engine doesn’t fail. We could be up here all night.”

Insight is seeing what knowledge shows us so that we can accurately apply it. The great Physician can correct your insight to 20/20!

How is your insight?