Are you myopic? Or hyperopic?

There once was a man who took really good care of himself. He exercised daily, got plenty of sleep, was never late with a payment, and had several interesting hobbies. His motto was, "Charity begins at home." However, he was never available to take friends to the airport, gave a dollar a week at church, thought that national and international news was boring and irrelevant, and avoided friends if they were having problems. He was myopic. Near-sighted.

There once was a woman who loved everyone. She took casseroles to the sick, volunteered for all committees at church, mowed her elderly neighbor's lawn, and gave generously to strangers in need. Her motto was, "It's better to burn out than rust out." However, she was broke, overweight, unhappy, and exhausted. She was on the verge of needing to be taken care of by others. She was hyperopic. Far-sighted.

Is it wrong to be near-sighted? Is it wrong to be far-sighted? Which is better?

The problem is that they're both disorders. A near-sighted person gets corrective lenses to enable him to see things at a distance, while continuing to see things close up. A far-sighted person gets lenses that help her see up close, while retaining her ability to see a distance.

Which corrective lenses do you need? Do you tend to be very aware of your own needs, and work to meet them, but stay relatively unfazed by the needs of others? Or are you always busy trying to meet the needs of others, while ignoring your own?

The Bible speaks simply to this issue: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, NIV)

If you are near-sighted, the challenge is to begin to become more concerned about others. Intentionally get involved with people and situations and projects that get you out of yourself. Go on a short-term missions trip. Volunteer at a food bank. Call someone you know who is having a tough time. Pick a percentage of your income (even 1%) to start giving away to people in need, or worthy causes. Do something on purpose that is difficult or uncomfortable. Don't worry. You can do these things and still take good care of yourself!

If you are far-sighted, the challenge for you is to begin taking better care of yourself. Take a day off by shutting off the phone and not answering the door. Get counseling. Plan an event that has no purpose other than fun and enjoyment. Say "no" to someone. Join a club or a group that builds up your mental, emotional, or physical health. Delegate. Buy something for yourself that is absolutely not essential. Maybe even frivolous. For a week, choose to only talk to people who adore you. Turn things over to God. Give him have a chance to solve the world's problems. Don't worry. You can do these things and still give lots of time left to serve others. And the help you give will be a much better quality!

If you need corrective lenses, wear them! You will find your life more satisfying and enriched. And you'll bump into stuff less!