Cataracts

Both of my parents and two of my grandparents had to have surgery for cataracts, so chances are real good that at some point I will have to, also. Cataracts develop slowly and the person really isn't aware that their vision is getting cloudy. When the surgery is complete, every patient is amazed that colors are so vivid and that lights are so bright.

It is also common for people of vision to develop "spiritual cataracts". After a lifetime of risk taking and problem solving, their life vision begins to dim. It happens slowly over time and the visionary is not even aware that he no longer sees opportunities; he begins to see obstacles. What is sad is that when visionaries lose their vision, there is no surgery to correct it. Many times they never realize that their vision has slipped. They just slip into irrelevance.

Eli, who was priest at the time of young Samuel's coming of age developed physical and spiritual cataracts. His eyesight dimmed, and so did his spiritual vision. He didn't see how he was no longer taking a stand for what was right and he chose not to see the evil that his sons were doing at the temple. God bypassed the experienced man of God and spoke directly to the inexperienced young Samuel.

On the other hand, Caleb, who, along with Joshua had faith to receive the Promised Land got his inheiritance after many battles. He asked for the hill country and headed out for more adventures even though he had earned the right to a little lakeside lot where he could "chill". He had a clear vision of what he could accomplish for God, and he did it will past retirement age.

I think I want to be a Caleb.