A Stamp-Like Attitude

Postage stamps were pretty popular back in the day when people used to send letters a lot. Now note that the usefulness of a stamp consisted and still consists in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there. In the book of Matthew 6:22 , Jesus uses the same idea when He talks about our eyes. He says, "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.”

In order to understand what Jesus was expressing in this verse, we must first understand what He meant when He spoke of having “clear eyes” or "singular eyes" as rendered by some other translations. The Greek word used here is ἁπλοῦς (haplous) and it is a word used to describe something that is single, unified, and free from distraction. In other words, Jesus is encouraging us to strive for a single-mindedness, an undivided attention on what is important.

It is easy to get distracted by many things in this life. For example, we may be so caught up in our material possessions that it becomes an obsession. Or, we may become enamored with the latest trends and fashions that it begins to consume our time and energy. Jesus is warning against these distractions, and instead encourages us to keep our eyes on Him and His kingdom so that our whole body will be filled with light.

In this way, Jesus encourages us to have a “stamp-like” attitude. We must be devoted to Him and His purposes until we reach our destination. To keep our eyes clear, Jesus asks that we take time each day to cultivate a relationship with Him through prayer, Bible study, and meditation. He promises that in doing so, we will be filled with the light of His kingdom and will become more and more aware of our place in God’s plan.

Clarity of vision and purpose as given to us by God is critical because it is even possible to be distracted by spiritual stuff that would otherwise be good. For instance, we can be so consumed with serving in ministry that we forget to spend quality time with God, or with our family. A classic example of this is the case of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). In this case, Martha was so busy with all the preparations that she forgot to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him.

Sometimes God gives a specific spiritual purpose for a specific time. Doing something as good as going on a mission trip without seeking clarity from God about where exactly to go and when can distract you from God's intended purpose for you at the time. An example of this is the case of Paul where he had intended to go and minister at one place but the Spirit had other plans for him (Acts 16:6-10). Paul’s mission changed and he ended up in a different region than he had planned.

Now consider this carefully: if it is important to seek clarity on spiritual matters such as doing ministry or going for a mission trip, how much more important is it to seek clarity from God on the direction of our lives in general? Therefore, let us strive for a single eye purpose as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:22. Devote yourself to Him until you reach your destination, and keep your eyes clear of distractions.

Finally, it is also important to remember that even when our vision and purpose are clear, life still has its ups and downs. The key is to remember that Jesus is the lamp of our lives and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, it is important to keep our eyes on Him continually and trust in His perfect will for us. When we do this, He promises that our whole body will be filled with light.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, as you continue to have your eyes fixed on Him! Amen.