How To See Better
Eyesight is one of our most valued assets. Sometimes as we get older, our eyes need help.
I am fascinated by a new effort to help us see better. It is the brain-chip startup Neuralink developed by Elon Musk and has received the FDA’s designation of a “breakthrough device.” This designation isn’t a form of approval. It simply signals that this new technology holds considerable promise and could contribute to future treatments. It is even touted by some people as reaching a proficiency that can help blind people see. The implant is called Blindsight.
This implant uses a microelectrode and is surgically placed directly into the brain’s visual cortex, where it “activates neutrons based on input from an external camera.” This can eventually help people to perceive visual information. This Neuralink “adds more electrodes to the implant, which, in theory, could increase the vividness of the users’ vision.”
All of us want to be able to see better. I am blessed to have a son-in-law, Dr. Scott Parma, who is one of the best retina surgeons anywhere. Weekly, I have people express gratitude for what he has done for them. A common response is, “He saved my eye,” “He is an answer to prayer,” “He has the best bedside manner.” I love hearing those comments. They are sincere and truthful.
His greatest gift is his ability to evaluate women. This is most evident in who he chose to be his wife!
The Bible talks about the importance of our physical eyesight. Jesus healed people and helped them see. The Bible also refers to “the eyes of the heart.” (Ephesians 1:18) We have two sets of eyes—those in our head and those in our heart. Oftentimes, blind people can see more accurately the values and priorities of life than people who have 20/20 vision. Physical eyesight is very important, but the most important thing is our spiritual eyesight. The neat thing about Dr. Scott Parma is that he is as interested in people seeing spiritually as he is in their seeing physically!
I wrote a book recently titled, “What Do You See.” In life, we can either see obstacles or opportunities, problems or possibilities, burdens or blessings, stumbling blocks or steppingstones. What we see creates our way of thinking. The Bible reminds us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Our actions become a result of what we see. The book can be ordered from our ministry office or website.
I have made a lot of mistakes in life. I’m glad people didn’t just see my mistakes, but could see how God could turn those mistakes into a mission for life. God can take our trials and turn them into a testimony. God can take whatever has happened to us in the past and transform our eyesight and actions into a Godly life.
There are enough people who point out our problems, but helpful people point out our potential. Oftentimes we learn what people see in us by listening to the words that they say. Some words can create blindness to who God wants us to be. Other words can create vision as to what God has designed for our purpose.
I don’t know how “Blindsight” is going to ultimately develop. I hope it is successful. I do know that God’s eye surgery can lead to 20/20 spiritual vision!
How well do you see?
