DOUBLE SPECTACLES

Patriot and diplomat Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was the greatest of the colonial scientists and inventors.  He received several honorary doctoral degrees for his experiments, especially his demonstration regarding lightning and electricity. 

  Some of us benefit from one of his later inventions--double spectacles.  Tired of having to use one set of spectacles for distant viewing, and another for reading, Franklin had glass ground in two halves to produce "double spectacles"--what we call bifocals.  Maybe you have experienced the frustration of doing a task... and having to take your glasses on and off, and on and off.  Trying to remember where you left one pair and having to struggle with the awkwardness of constantly switching frames.

   Bifocals remind us that we need to be able to look both up close and at a distance.  Distant vision is certainly important: "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).  We can say with Paul, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).  Realizing that heaven will be worth it all, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling" (Philippians 3:14).

   Not only is that upward look of distant vision important, but I also need the "up close" vision to see my brother and his needs.  "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how swelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17).  "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also" (1 John 4:20-21).  I can't keep my eyes on heaven without seeing the needs around me.  What a blessing it is to have "double spectacles"! ('almost triple spectacles', which would make for another article at another time.  insert your smiling face here :)

Shine On!