“Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, oh Ruler of all.”
Be Thou My Vision
Translated by Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931
What vision are you running after? Those things that befall us and capture our heart tend to blur our vision from seeing and seeking the true Ruler of all, Jesus Christ.
In the twentieth chapter of the Gospel of John, three disciples of Jesus are stumbling around in the dark trying to ascertain a clear vision of this One who, three days earlier, had died on a cross and was buried in a tomb. One of them, Mary Magdalene, was the first on the scene as she wanted to anoint his body with oil and fragrance as was customary for the dead. But upon her arrival, the tomb was opened and she experienced a vision of Jesus she did not expect. Not a dead body but he was alive!
The next disciples we encounter in the narrative are Peter and John as they are running to the tomb upon hearing the word from Mary that something was amiss. What were they looking for? What do they expect to see? Jesus had told his followers again and again what was going to happen yet their vision drew them to the empty tomb early that dark morning. Their vision is blurred.
Jesus had said to Mary, “Do not hold onto [this vision of me] for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, paraphrased) Jesus was no longer in the cemetery for he ascended to the Father to intercede on the behalf of those who are broken, to prepare a place for those who are abandoned, and to provide peace for those who are suffering. This is the power of the gospel!
What about you? Have you seen the Risen Lord or are you running after another vision? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and given Him your very life? A clear vision only comes with complete submission and trust in what you are seeing as true. Jesus is my vision, whatever befall.