Last December, while Robin and I were stateside from Guatemala visiting family, friends, and ministry partners, we were invited to a friend’s home for dinner and a movie. We’ve been missionaries long enough that this was our first movie viewed in high definition. Although it was a recent and popular movie, my attention was grabbed most by the spectacular clarity of the images in HD. I was fascinated with how previously unnoticed interactions in the background and hidden perspectives were now illuminated.  The following day, we began the long drive to our next appointment. As the miles passed, the previous night’s HD experience was still fresh in my mind. I began to recall black-and-white television viewing from my childhood in the 1960’s. Often the images appeared to be taking place in a snowstorm. Every character had its own ghost that paralleled each movement. The entire picture sometimes leaned to one side or began to roll upward like the rungs of a ladder. Yet, we eagerly accepted the poor and skewed reception because it was all we knew. Then, one day after school, “rabbit ears” appeared on top of the TV. I remember how, at first, my heavy-handed adjustments did little to help. But I soon discovered it only took subtle changes to bring greater clarity, and those pesky ghosts, leans, and ladders disappeared. 

If we allow it to, covid-19 and other distractions can overwhelm our senses with ghosts, leans, and ladders, skewing our perspective and our ability to see clearly.  Like rabbit ears on a TV set, tuning into God’s Word will help us tune-out the static and bring greater clarity to our vision.

Romans 12:2, NIV: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind….