Paul prayed that the hearts of the Christians in Ephesus “might be flooded with light”. (1:18; Amplified) It’s the verse on which the chorus, “Open the Eyes of our Heart,” is based.
Since Paul is writing to Christians, it means that Christians can get so burdened and wearied that we have trouble seeing truth. “Life” begins blurring our spiritual vision, causing us to focus on everything *but* Jesus.
This short clip is from the 1998 movie, Patch Adams. When Patch (played perfectly by Robin Williams) is admitted to a mental hospital for a few days he meets an angry man who keeps asking people, “How many fingers do you see?!” (He’s holding up 4 and, apparently, “4” is the wrong answer.) Patch is curious so, one night, he finds the man (his name is Arthur) and asks him, “What’s the answer to your question?” That’s where the clip picks up.
My friends, the temptation is to focus on the problem while Christ is tenderly and lovingly telling us, “Don’t’ focus on the problem; look *beyond* the problem – look at Me.” (This is a principle my family has been forced to learn since our 19 year old son passed away.)
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the Light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Lemmel)
“…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,..” (Hebrews 12:1-2; nasb)
Soli Deo Gloria, Nick