I have a few friends that are colorblind. When I am around them, this fact always seems to come up in one way or another. I think it’s partially because we are interested in how someone else views the world and partially because we want to find out if it’s really us who may be seeing things wrong. That was a point of discussion in one of my psychology classes in college. Even though we have determined that the majority of people view the world seeing the same colors and light distortion, does that still mean that we are seeing the true color? I’m fascinated by how my so-called “colorblind” friends see the world but aren't they really just perceiving the colors as they are presented to them?
Before we go too far down that rabbit hole, let’s change course just a little bit. It is getting to the point in the year when the crisp air is helping the trees show their fall coats. Eventually, they will lose those leaves, but we are currently in the sweet spot where everything is bursting with shades of orange, yellow, and red. We are starting to pull out our sweaters and warm socks to combat the brisk mornings and bonfires in the afternoons to knock off the night chill. There are those that try to hold onto summer as long as they can, however. We’ve seen the extremes like wearing sandals when others are pulling out their boots or short sleeves when the rest have scarves. Whether they are freezing or comfortable is hard to tell. We just see how they perceive the current weather conditions, regardless of how others perceive it differently.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus gives us a clear objective of how we should present ourselves and how we should be perceived. He says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We each have been given a specific light to share with the world and we have the obligation to shine it in the correct way. Regardless of how others may be presenting themselves, my good works should be what is on display. In the ways I talk, walk, and interact with those I come in contact with. Secondly, this isn’t so that I can be perceived better than those around me, but more so that I can glorify God and provoke others to do the same. Just like there are many different colors in this world, there are many different people. The truth of the matter is that I can only shine my light, just like you can only shine yours. This isn’t an excuse, but instead a responsibility to make sure that the light we have is being presented and perceived in a way that brings the glory to God and God alone.
Be what you can be and do what you can do,
Coburn Hoffman
Before we go too far down that rabbit hole, let’s change course just a little bit. It is getting to the point in the year when the crisp air is helping the trees show their fall coats. Eventually, they will lose those leaves, but we are currently in the sweet spot where everything is bursting with shades of orange, yellow, and red. We are starting to pull out our sweaters and warm socks to combat the brisk mornings and bonfires in the afternoons to knock off the night chill. There are those that try to hold onto summer as long as they can, however. We’ve seen the extremes like wearing sandals when others are pulling out their boots or short sleeves when the rest have scarves. Whether they are freezing or comfortable is hard to tell. We just see how they perceive the current weather conditions, regardless of how others perceive it differently.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus gives us a clear objective of how we should present ourselves and how we should be perceived. He says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We each have been given a specific light to share with the world and we have the obligation to shine it in the correct way. Regardless of how others may be presenting themselves, my good works should be what is on display. In the ways I talk, walk, and interact with those I come in contact with. Secondly, this isn’t so that I can be perceived better than those around me, but more so that I can glorify God and provoke others to do the same. Just like there are many different colors in this world, there are many different people. The truth of the matter is that I can only shine my light, just like you can only shine yours. This isn’t an excuse, but instead a responsibility to make sure that the light we have is being presented and perceived in a way that brings the glory to God and God alone.
Be what you can be and do what you can do,
Coburn Hoffman
RSS Feed