It is said that the person with normal vision has the ability to see one million colors. We are able to enjoy the rich beauty of a colorful world. But there are those among us who do not have the pleasure of seeing what we so easily take for granted. The mutation in their genes have given them what is called colorblindness. They are not able to perceive the differences of color. Their vision of the world can be quite monotonous.
Recently, I came across a Reader’s Digest article on Concetta Antico, who has a very rare condition called tetrachromacy. The very opposite of colorblindness, she is able to see nearly 100 million colors! She sees “more nuanced shades and more colors” than the average person. Where we may just see a gray color, she sees “violets and lavenders and turquoise.” Her enjoyment of colors go way beyond what we are able enjoy.
Yet, she does admit that there is a downside to her enhanced vision too. The article describes it as “sensory overload.” It can be quite overwhelming. She describes one scenario: the grocery store. It is “a nightmare.” Walking down a grocery aisle can be “[an assault] of color.”
What really caught my interest in all this was the fact that, even in just the matter of color, there really is much more than the “normal” eye can see. Even with our ability to see color, the reality out there is much bigger than our ability to see it. Some even see less than most people; but there are those who can see more.
The Lord has gifted us with a wonderful world in which to live. He blesses us with his grace and goodness. With our “normal” eyes we have the ability to recognize his hand in what we see. And the invitation is to acknowledge it. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1.20 NIV). Others choose not to, and end up being spiritually colorblind. The world that they live in is devoid of the beauty of seeing God’s presence. It is like being blinded by the darkness. “Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going” (John 12.35 NLT).
To choose to acknowledge Christ gives a person the privilege to see the world differently, through “spiritual” eyes that see a reality beyond what “normal” eyes can see. One’s perspective concerning the world is transformed. Yet it can be overwhelming because God is still greater than what spiritual eyes may see. For, in the end, when we glimpse the holiness of God we cannot help but be overwhelmed and, like Isaiah, only bow down in humble worship and submission (see Isaiah 6.1-8).
—Keith Y. Jainga