The Light Within: Cultivating a Vision of Peace and Wholeness

We've all got that person in our lives. You know, the glass-half-empty person, the one who is most likely to slide into negativity at a moment's notice.  

It's like they expect the world to be a terrible place where awful things happen.  They spend far too much time looking for things to be upset about.  Or, worse, to rage about.  

The hardest thing for some of us to admit is that the person I just described might be us.  

I get it.  There's a lot to be upset about lately.  But if we want to see real peace within us and without us, we've got to learn to change our perspectve. 

The way we see the world is often influenced by our expectations of how it should be, which in turn are shaped by the ways we perceive it. 

Having a clear inner vision is essential in our spiritual journey toward peace and wholeness. Our perspective shapes our experience of the world and influences our ability to see the good that God continually reveals to us graciously. 

As John O'Donohue beautifully expresses: 

“When our eyes are graced with wonder, the world reveals its wonders to us. There are people who see only dullness in the world and that is because their eyes have already been dulled. So much depends on how we look at things. The quality of our looking determines what we come to see.” 

This quote highlights a profound truth: our attitude, focus, and mindset determine what we notice and how we interpret our circumstances. 

When we approach life with wonder and gratitude, we are more likely to recognize God's beauty and goodness everywhere. Conversely, if our outlook is clouded by negativity or cynicism, it becomes difficult to see the divine hand at work in our lives and in the world.

Jesus expanded on this idea in Matthew 6:22-23, where He said:  

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness?” 

His words emphasize that our inner vision—what we choose to focus on—affects our entire being. A healthy, focused eye allows us to see with clarity and reflect God’s light. An unclean or distracted eye can cloud our perception, leading us away from the divine truth and peace.

Consider this: when our inner eyes are set on goodness, grace, and God’s love, our entire outlook becomes infused with that light. We begin to see opportunities for growth and kindness rather than obstacles and despair. 

Our perspective aligns with the truth that despite circumstances, God's goodness remains present, waiting to be discovered anew each day.

Today, I challenge you to embrace the light of God within you as your guiding vision. Choose to look for the good—see the beauty in creation, the kindness in others, and the blessings in every situation. 

Let the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the wonders around and within you. As you do, you will find that peace and wholeness are not distant goals but living realities—waiting to be uncovered when you look through eyes of faith, gratitude, and wonder.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.