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Tunnel Vision In
looking up the phrase “tunnel vision” I came across the following
definition: 1. Vision in which the visual field is severely constricted, as from
within a tunnel looking out; 2. An extremely narrow point of view;
narrow-mindedness. (from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tunnel+vision).
We can talk about tunnel vision in strictly medical terms where a person can
literally see only what is directly ahead of them, or figuratively where a
person focuses on one thing and blocks out everything else. In one sense tunnel vision can be good.
There are times we need to block out things and remember what is really
important. I think that is what Paul means in Philippians 3. “12 Not that I
have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay
hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do
not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus.” Paul was not going to get distracted and take his eye off of heaven.
We have to remember that we are here for one purpose and that is to serve God.
We are his creation and will stand before Him on the Day of Judgment. All else
we do should be subservient to serving God. Problems arise when we get our
priorities and life out of kilter with going to heaven. Seeking first the In another sense tunnel vision can be
bad if we focus on just one aspect of serving God and leave out other parts. The
Jews had a real bad case of tunnel vision. Just read Matthew 24 and you will see
all kinds of tunnels. They refused to touch some thing unclean but they lived
dirty lives. They stressed parts of the law but left out other parts of the law.
We have to be careful or we can develop tunnel vision. James speaks of those
that were respecter of persons in chapter 2. This was judging with “evil
thoughts” James 2.4 and made one guilty of sin. They were no better than a
murderer or an adulterer. Let us keep in mind that we can not pick and choose
which part of the Bible we will keep. We have to do all that God says. –
Dennis Tucker |