How Stuff Works

I always take my glasses off during 3D movies. Just for a second, you know?

I’m not sure why or when I started doing this. For a few seconds though I like to see the unfocused version of the movie. Am I the only one who does this?

Maybe it helps me appreciate how incredible the actual technology and picture is.

The whole 3D process is kind of amazing. The images projected on the screen combined with the special glasses trick your eyes into seeing something that isn’t quite there. (Here’s a scientific look at the process from How Stuff Works)

What fascinates me is that the content of a 3D movie doesn’t change whether you wear glasses or not – just your outlook on it.

You can watch an entire 3D movie with the glasses off and still get the basic gist of the film.

You won’t see everything as it was meant to be. You won’t be fully engaged or fully appreciative of the work of art playing out before you. You’ll probably have a massive headache by the time the whole thing is over.

I wouldn’t advise you to watch a 3D movie with no glasses. But you could do it and the content would not change – just your view of it.

When you follow Jesus each day, the content of your life won’t necessarily change. But the lens in which you view it does.

One time Jesus told his followers of all the misfortune that would befall them. He told them how difficult life would be once He was out of the picture. He told them nation would go to war against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and family against family.

And then He said this:

When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. (Mark 13:9)

What we see as oppression God sees as opportunity. The vision of Christ gives us a different lens to view our circumstances.

Without Christ the ways of the world seem blurry and out of focus. You can sense what’s supposed to be happening but life isn’t really clear. You don’t get the full picture.

Following God doesn’t magically change our circumstances. Instead, we are given the proper lens with which to view the seemingly chaotic, nonsensical images we see before us.

Where we see chaos, God sees a beautiful collision. He sees the full picture. He sees blurred lines coming together in perfect harmony to create something majestic.

Lord, give us Your eyes to see in 3D.