On Seeing: Preface

by Daisuke Chew

This is a curated series of reflections, Scripture, images, paintings, and questions around the theme of “On Seeing.”

see

verb (sees, seeing, saw; past participle seen)

  • perceive with the eyes; discern visually.
  • be or become aware of something from observation or from a written or other visual source.
  • be a spectator of; watch.
  • discern or deduce after reflection or from information; understand.
  • ascertain after inquiring, considering, or discovering an outcome.
  • experience or witness.

Light

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
(Genesis 1:1‭-‬4 NASB)

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
(John 1:4‭-‬5 NASB)

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
(John 1:9 NASB)

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
(1 John 1:5 NASB)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(Matthew 5:8 NASB)

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
(Matthew 6:22 NASB)

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
(John 3:21 NASB)

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16 NASB)

Genesis tells us that God spoke light into being. He saw that the light was good and separated the light from darkness.

John mirrors this, saying that God is Light and in him there is no darkness. We know then that in Jesus is the Light of God, and that Jesus himself is Light as well.

This is the true Light that shines in the darkness and is able to enlighten every man.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus indicates that blessed are those who are pure in heart. Later, he mentions that the eye is the lamp of the body.

If we connect the dots, it suggests that if the eyes of our hearts are clear, we shall be able to see the Light of God.

Perhaps it is in this way that God is able to work in us, allowing the true Light to shine through us and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

Therefore, may the eyes of our hearts be pure and clear, so that the Light of God is able to pour into us and work in us and through us, in such a way that the glory of God may shine brightly.

Daisuke Chew has a background in architecture. A graduate of Cornell University School of Architecture, Art and Planning, he has worked at various architectural and design-related firms in the US and Singapore. Though not professional nor published, he has long been a keen photographer and looks for the beauty and humour in the people, places and stories found in our vernacular and every day.

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