Do you have special "double vision"? There is a small fish in Central and northern South America that has this ability. Our creator gave them large, protruding eyes that have an air lens on the upper side and a water lens on the lower side of the eye. Called "four eyes" by local people, when they swim along the surface of the water, they can see what is happening above the surface of the water, but at the same time watch what is happening under the water's surface.

Don't you think that we need to be like these fish, too? We are to live with our eyes directed to two worlds, two different realities. The one world we see is the world we experience every day – our environment, society. And Jesus wants us to live in this everyday world: "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world . . . As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world" (John 17:15, 18).

We are to be aware of our environment, for one thing, to avoid "the evil one" (ibid.), for we are recognize danger and avoid it (Proverbs 22:3). We are also supposed to be a light for God's way to those around us (Matthew 5:14-16), and we can only do that if we are familiar with our surroundings, and people in those surroundings are familiar with us. In addition, how can we love our neighbor as ourselves (the 2nd great commandment) if we completely ignore our neighbor? So we are to be aware of the world in which we live.

When it comes to a transcendental purpose for life, our vision should be directed toward heaven: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2). In so doing, we see that what God says is right and true. With a view toward God's throne we are able to recognize potential conflicts between what God expects of us and what this world's "standards" are, enabling us to choose God's way, knowing that there is a future reward for faithfulness: "He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Having our eyes directed to heaven reflects the first great commandment – love toward God.

God did not bless us with "four eyes" like He did with the fish in Central and South America. Instead, through the holy spirit and Jesus Christ dwelling in us, He enhanced our ability to see in a symbolic sense by a full 100 percent. We now have special "double vision", enabling us to keep the two great commandments that summarize the Ten Commandments.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!