Only through the loving hands of Christ can our eyes be truly OPENED!

 This year of 2020, I have heard to be one of THE worst years. 

Certainly a year to be remembered.

Some have had a decrease in seeing friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Many have been influenced by the fear and anxiety of things beyond their control such as sickness, death, fires, loss in job, etc.

This year, however, there have been advancements in learning how to meet with others in different ways; through the internet, phone, and getting used to seeing people wearing masks.

Personally, this year has been a strange year, but one of THE most beautiful in the ways of this symbolic, yet NOT coincidental connection with the word myopic and the year 2020. 

I was INSPIRED today during a zoom Relief Society meeting as we were discussing the talk, Let God Prevail. The thought that was so inspiring for me was the symbolism of the word myopic and the connection to the year -- 2020.

For those who are like me and had never heard of this word before, Myopic simply means: Nearsighted. Is that not just beautiful? I have felt at times that I have been nearsighted this year. I have focused too much on the wrong things, or too self absorbed forgetting that to SEE another person is to see the face of God. When this occurs I find that I have focused too closely or have been obsessed with wants, needs, being too proud to widen my range of sight. During this year of pandemic, this year of loneliness, confusion, fear, and change have I been nearsighted? That truly is a profound, and simple question.

Being nearsighted is all too easy when we choose to have other hobbies, .  without allowing God to prevail in our individual lives. But I suppose the question is then, Am I willing to let God prevail in my life? This is an active decision, not passive.

We MUST all choose for ourselves whether we are going to be myopic or if we are going to let God prevail. This is a personal, but very important separation between holding fast to the iron rod, and simply keeping an eye on the railing so as not to let it out of sight. The very act of letting God prevail allows our own eyes to be OPENED, this is choosing to hold fast to the word of God through actions and decisions.  Choosing our Savior, Jesus Christ allows us to SEE more fully with an eternal perspective the love that God has for each one of us!

"The Lord IS gathering those who are WILLING to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord IS gathering those who will CHOOSE to let God be THE most important influence in their lives." -Russell M. Nelson

To see more fully can also be said as seeing in 20/20 vision. Is that not amazing?! Mind blown!!! This year has been a constant decision to either SEE myopically or to embrace God, trust in Him and to SEE 2020! Through fear and strife the peace of Jesus Christ is as a beacon of LIGHT, guiding us safely through the mists of darkness, confusion, fear, sickness, and death. We each must act to choose Him or to choose a distorted and nearsighted view. "Trust in His redeeming blood, and try His works to do." https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/there-is-a-green-hill-far-away?lang=eng

This year has been full of happenings that have been too far out of the control of us. Many humbling experiences bringing me back to a simple thought, and a profound question.

I cannot.

God can.

Will I let Him?

Christ truly did Heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, and gave the blind their SIGHT! He can with us give us the sight of an eternal perspective, seeing our life in 2020. 

May the end of your remarkable year of 2020 end in a beautiful way. 

May we choose to either let fear fill our lives, or to let God prevail in every aspect of our God given life! May the year of 2021 bring a closer connection to our Heavenly Father and to our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we continue to choose in the coming years to SEE, and to have our eyes be opened through the loving hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we choose to LET GOD PREVAIL!