Seeing Like Paul Saw
Years ago Duffy Daugherty, the legendary Michigan State football coach, was in a tight game against UCLA. With only 14 seconds left to play the score was tied.
Daugherty sent in placekicker Dave Kaiser who booted a field goal that won the game. When Kaiser returned to the bench, Daugherty said, “Nice going, but you didn’t watch the ball after you kicked it.”
“That’s right, Coach,” Kaiser replied. “I was watching the referee instead to see how he’d signal it. I forgot my contact lenses, and I couldn’t see the goalposts.”
Kaiser, however, through years of repetitive practice could mentally see himself kicking a field goal. All he needed to do was follow through with his technique and form. His poor eyesight didn’t keep from seeing what he needed to do.
Similarly, I think of the apostle Paul. Apparently, from some of the closing comments in his epistles he had poor eyesight. In fact, some believe this was his “thorn in the flesh.” But his physical infirmity didn’t hinder him from clearly seeing matters of spiritual importance.
As we continue our thought and theme for the year, “20/20 Vision: Restoring Our Focus,” I want to consider three things we learn from Paul about vision in Philippians 3:4-14.