The campus is abuzz with new and returning students beginning NCU’s 118th year.
Wednesday, August 29 was the first day of classes and I thought I might share some of the thoughts surrounding the difference between “sight and vision” I conveyed to the campus community at Convocation Chapel:
I hope you (students) . . . are ready for a great year, a great experience; whether you are a freshmen just getting started or a returning student continuing along your college journey – my prayer for you is that you will open your heart to the wonders of God this year and begin to focus your vision on God’s call in your life . . .
. . . it could be said that your understanding of the difference between sight and vision should be an important goal for you in your studies here at NCU – where faculty and staff are committed to providing an education that will help you discern and chase God’s call on your life. To do that you will need more than sight, you will need vision.
Sharing from II Kings 6:15-17 – I wanted to communicate the spiritual reality that God offers inspiration, support, and direction that lie beyond the limitations of human experience.
You see, sight is the capacity to see what is in front of us – to see what is – but vision will help you see what can be . . . sight sees the problem, but vision sees the potential, sight sees the present, but vision sees the promises of God.
It’s really a question of your ability to determine reality. Is what is real limited by what you see? Is it as simple as that – or do you believe God is, and is at work? And what’s more, do you have the spiritual vision to live your life expectantly knowing in your heart of hearts the hills are covered with the armies of the living God!
You are bombarded by images and messages that compete with your faith to determine reality for you. Our society and culture would have you believe in a reality of human want – have you see with the limits of your own emotions – and condone a “if it feels right, do it” mentality. Simple worldly sight would tell you to “live for today”, lacking the vision to truly see the reality of eternity. This world is limited to sight; limited by what is discernible through reason and experience alone.
God is calling you – your challenge and joy is to seek that call with your mind, body, and spirit . . . Like the blind Bartimaeus, who “threw off his cloak, jumped to his feet” . . . chase after that call with passion and an assurance that an experience with God will open your eyes.
Seek that vision – seek that call – live your life as a testimony to the grace and glory of God, as one who looks to the hills around you and sees the armies of the Living God. It’s a question of sight versus vision. And my prayer for you is that while you are here you will be open to the transformative power of God . . . to focus your sight into a vision of a life lived in the spiritual reality of a God who knows you, loves you, forgives you, and has a plan for you to glorify Him in ways that your mere sight could not imagine.
I was reminded after speaking of how blessed we are as a learning community to have leadership through our Board of Trustees that is committed to seeking God’s vision for NCU. As we seek His inspiration, support, and direction may we also be reminded that hills are filled with the armies of the living God.
II Kings 6:15-17 (NIV) When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord,
what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Eli.
Dr. Joseph Womack-NCUÂ President