I imagine many pastors are rethinking their sermons and newsletter articles written this
time last year with the theme, “2020 Vision—looking ahead to a perfect year.” 2020 was
no perfect year, however it was a year we will never forget. Have you ever considered the
meaning behind the phrase 2020 Vision? It simply means normal vision. A person with
2020 vision can see what an average individual can see on an eye chart when they are
standing 20 feet away. 2020 vision is normal vision acuity, which is the sharpness or clarity of one’s vision. I have never had any vision problems, never needed to wear glasses or
contacts, until several years ago I was diagnosed with “over 40 condition.” I was over 40
years old and needed the aid of reading glasses. What I once could see clearly up close,
was now a complete blur without glasses. How sharp and clear is your vision? Do you
have 2020 vision or do you need the help of glasses to see clearly?
In Mark’s gospel we read about Jesus healing a man with vision problems; “They , (Jesus and His followers), came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the
blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his
hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees
walking around.’ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes opened, his sight was
restored, and he saw everything clearly.”
At times we go through life and everything is ok. No problems with work, school, or our health. Then it
seems storms arise and clouds blur our vision, making it difficult to see a clear path ahead. Many of us are
still dealing with the storms of the previous year, with no clear path or vision for what our new year will
bring. Our vision is blurred and we need help to see clearly. 2020 Vision is not
perfect vision, it is normal vision, and only 35% of people have 2020 vision. This
means the majority of us need help to see clearly. Some of us believe we can see fine
on our own. Others have figured out how to see ok through worldly lenses. This
type of vision may satisfy some, but it is nowhere near the perfect vision Christ offers
us. On our own, we see folks walking around looking like trees, but with the help of
Christ we are able to see clearly. Irish author and clergyman Jonathan Swift said,
“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” 
What may be invisible to the
world is visible to us through Christ’s perfect vision. May we all be blessed with the
perfect vision of Christ. May we see clearly the path God has planned for us this new
year. May we always look to Christ to give us hope, strength, and guidance on our
journeys that lie ahead.
In Christ,
Matt
“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”