I know this is Saturday of Thanksgiving week, and we have spent days counting all our many blessings. It is a good time to thank the Lord for eyes that see, and Scriptures that lead us.

I recently spent a lovely day driving back and forth to Montrose with friends Jim and Charlene Patton. The meeting that caused us to make the drive is another story. Anyway ...

As we drove, they kept seeing deer, elk, hawks, sheep, cattle, and eagles. By the time they pointed them out to me, we had driven past, and like ol’ Sgt. Schultz from the television show Hogan’s Heroes, “I saw nothing, nothing!”

Jim spent the latter years of his childhood in this area. He and Charlene have lived in many “wild” regions of the west, including years in Alaska.

As I complained that I couldn’t see the critters, Jim patiently explained that, through the years, their eyes have become accustomed to seeing what was hard for other to see in nature.

He said sometimes he only sees a slight movement and recognizes the movement. Then as he focuses in on it;he sees the wildlife.

Charlene explained that in Alaska she had gotten used to looking in the trees for “snowballs.” She still does, and recognizes them as the heads of bald eagles — even at 55 miles per hour.

Spending most of my life as a myopic city dweller, I am somewhat jealous of them. At the same time, I got to thinking about all the football I have watched over the years and the Bible we Christians study and I felt a little better.

Bear with me. I think it all connects.

I have been a fan of professional and college football since I can remember. I have forever lived and died every Saturday with Ohio State and every Sunday with the Cleveland Browns. I was actually in the Cleveland Municipal Stadium on January 11, 1987, when John Elway led the Broncos on “The Drive” which led the Broncos to the Super Bowl that year. Again, that is another story. Anyway ...

Having watched football now for about 45 years and being deeply interested, I can often see things others don’t. On 3rd and 12, I can glance at the field or screen, know what to anticipate, and where to look for a key to a play’s success. I also take a secret delight in yelling, “Fumble!” an instant before others may see the ball come out.

Through interest, constant watching and study, I can see certain things watching a football game. Jim and Charlene can see things in nature through interest, constant watching and study.

As we Christians read and study the Bible day after day, month after month, and year after year, we begin to see the Scriptures more clearly. We really begin to see.

Through God-given interest, study, and constantly and consistently reading our Bibles, we “see” different things all the time.

Have you ever read a passage and thought, “Wow, I never saw that before”? Have you ever wondered how you can read a story over and over and suddenly there is an insight you never even imagined before? I sometimes think someone sneaks in and adds new passages to my Bible every so often (not really).

The Apostle Paul counseled his young colleague Timothy to “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” —1 Timothy 14:13.

Let us also devote ourselves to the private reading of Scripture and to the teachings found in there.

The Lord will give us insight and vision, and guide us and lead us. The more we study, the more we will we get used to looking for what is there, and the more we will see. Ultimately, we will better see God in Jesus Christ!



The Rev. Steve Nofel is co-pastor of Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.