Tunnel Vision
Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 6:8-23
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
—2 Kings 6:16
It’s called tunnel vision—focusing on what is right in front of us, and not being able to get a broader perspective. Elisha knew quite a few people with that problem, people who reacted in foolish ways because they just couldn’t see the whole picture.
The king of Aram couldn’t see beyond his security breach to realize that someone bigger than a spy was involved. Elisha’s servant couldn’t see beyond the army of Syria to the armies of the Lord. The king of Israel couldn’t see beyond a captured enemy to know how to respond peacefully.
Their blindness leaves us wondering if we are as blind. Is there anything we are not seeing?
What Elisha sees is a world run not by rulers and armies but by the Lord. A prophet sees that this world is under the authority of God and that God’s power, the only power grounded in love, is what really protects us.
To see with the eyes of faith is to see that God is at work not only in our daily life but also in the arena of battlefields and city streets. No matter where we are or what impossible circumstances we face, we can look beyond our short-sighted fears to see those who are with us and to rest in the certainty that the God who is with us is far greater than anyone who is against us (Romans 8:31-39).
Open our eyes, Lord, so that we can see you. Give us the vision to see your power at work in our lives and in our world. Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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