Are You a Nearsighted or Farsighted Christian?

When I ask that question, my mind immediately goes to Moses.

In Hebrews 11:25, Moses made a remarkable choice. He walked away from a life of ease and luxury as royalty in the Egyptian palace — and instead chose to live among God's people, the children of Israel. Why would anyone do that?

Because Moses had his eye on a far greater prize.

He knew God had called him to lead His people out of bondage. And that calling meant more to him than any comfort this world could offer. Moses was spiritually farsighted — he could see what others couldn't. He fixed his eyes on something in the eternal realm that made everything in the present look small by comparison.

That kind of vision is rare. But it's exactly what makes a person usable in God's hands.

Moses kept his eyes on the One who is invisible — yet very much present — to keep beckoning him forward. We need that same kind of faith. Not a nearsighted faith that only sees what's right in front of us, but a farsighted faith like those in Hebrews 11 — men and women who lived their whole lives patiently looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.

That's what God said about Abraham. He is the father of our faith, and if we want to please God, we need to follow his example.

Here's the encouraging part: God hasn't left us empty-handed in the here and now, either. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness — right now, in this present moment. There is no situation you will ever face that God hasn't already made a provision for. That's His promise to you today.

But we have to be careful not to be like Esau.

Esau traded his birthright — his future, his inheritance — for a single bowl of soup. And he regretted it for the rest of his life. Nothing this world offers is worth taking our eyes off of what eternity holds.

So the question comes back around: Are you nearsighted or farsighted?

Let's choose to be spiritually farsighted — fixing our eyes beyond the temporary, trusting God's provision for today, and running with patience toward the prize that waits ahead.