“Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’” Luke 18:42 (NIV)

In the midst of the media storm surrounding the upcoming elections, there’s one news item you may have missed. An economic crisis is upon us—and Sarah Palin is at the center of it. What’s the cause of this crisis I’m talking about? Her glasses.

In less than one month’s time Sarah has become a household name. Everyone has an opinion about her. But whether you’re Republican, Democrat or Independent, there’s one issue regarding the vice presidential nominee on which the majority agrees. We love her glasses! I suppose not since Ben Franklin invented bifocals have spectacles captured our fancies so.

Women (and even men) are flocking to their opticians in search of Governor Palin’s Kawasaki 704 series designer specs. In less than two weeks, the Japanese company that manufactures the $375 frames received 9,000 global orders. That’s more than they normally produce in a year! I’m no economic analyst but there’s no way supply can meet that demand.

According to Governor Palin’s optician, she selected her now-famous frames from hundreds of choices. I’ve worn glasses almost my entire life and know what a difficult decision this is! After much searching she selected just the right pair for her—and the rest, as they say, is history.

I imagine many of those buying frames like Mrs. Palin’s will later regret their purchase. Something about their new glasses will look “off.” Maybe the frames won’t flatter their face shape, match their personality, or complement their coloring or hairstyle. Why? Because eyeglasses simply aren’t an off-the-shelf purchase. One size does not fit all.

Sometimes we do this with our faith. We see movers and shakers in our church, in our favorite ministry, or in our Bible study who appear to have it all going on. They glow under the spotlight, and we think they must know or have something we don’t because…well…just look at them. So we not only admire their godly ways, we try to emulate them as well—we try to “wear” their faith. We might try to copy how they pray, or worship, or talk, or sing, or have devotions, and so on. But when we do, something doesn’t fit quite right.

That’s because nothing is more one-of-a-kind than our walk with the Lord. While we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters, we can’t order up elements of their walk to accessorize our own. To do so is to lose sight of what God wants from us more than anything: our individual devotion focused on Him. He wants us to love Him with a sincere faith that’s custom-made with our own unique personality, passion, experiences and gifts.

Have you been borrowing someone else’s faith? Do you want to be custom-fit with a prescription of your own? Go to Jesus, the One who gives sight to the blind. And when He asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” respond, “Lord, I want to see.” (Luke 18:41)

As popular as they are today, Sarah Palin’s glasses will become yesterday’s news. While much of our attention is fixed on who will lead our country come January, we must remember politicians come and go. But there is one leader who has, does and will stand the test of time: Jesus. As we set our sights on the future, let’s never forget on whom we need to fix our gaze. And let’s offer Him our one-of-a-kind devotion.

Dear Lord, I give you my heart. Open my eyes so I may see and help me stay focused on You as the ruler of my life and the hope of my eternal future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?



At the Feet of Ordinary Women by Angie Conrad, et al

The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio

Application Steps:

During the remaining days leading up to the presidential election, become an educated voter, but maintain an eternal perspective.

Reflections:

Have you been striving to mimic aspects of someone else’s walk instead of developing your very own?

Are you caught up in the popularity of your faith more than the sincerity of it?

Power Verses:

Ephesians 2:18-19, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (NIV)