St. Patrick - Pt. 5

“I arise today
with God’s strength to pilot my course,
with God’s power to uphold me,
with God’s wisdom to guide me,
with God’s eye to give me seeing..."

Once Patrick had returned home to Britain after his harrowing travels subsequent to his escape, he was given a vision one night wherein a man handed him a letter with the title The Voice of the Irish. As he read, he heard the cries of those in a particular region of Ireland. The voices were saying, "We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us."

After this, and several more visions, Patrick began to realize that God had work for him in the very nation where he had once been kept as a slave.

I would dare say that most of us would not claim to have had visions like this, although I know for a fact that they are actually quite commonplace. Oftentimes visions are given in the manner that we see here -- in a dream. Sometimes they may come in what seems to be a more "supernatural" way, such as Saul experienced on the road to Damascus. Other times they are much less spectacular -- glimpses and insights through images that may flash across our consciousness. I'm afraid we too often ignore many of these God-given inklings.

For instance, there are the times that I have driven past a stranded motorist and have the impression that I should stop to help them, and in the process exemplify Christ's love for them. At that point, I begin to reason with the Holy Spirit that I have somewhere I need to be and important things to do and surely someone else will stop to help them -- if indeed they even need help.

But I believe that one of the most common ways that God gives us vision, is simply by changing our world view. Seeing those around us as Christ sees them. Being aware of opportunities that God lays before us everyday to be His hands and feet.

With His eyes to guide us, Christ says, "he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do..." (John 14:12)

Without God's vision, we miss out on so much.