Nyctalopia (Night Blindness)

A number of people I know have a mild form of a medical condition called night blindness. Typically the sign of this age-related symptom is nighttime driving or any nighttime activity becomes difficult because of the reduction in light. From dusk to dawn artificial light becomes a needed resource for those suffering from vision issues. I’ve added a medical explanation from the Cleveland Clinic which is a top 5 medical institution in the United States. “Night blindness (nyctalopia) is the inability to see well at night or in poor light. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem, usually a retina problem. It is common for patients who are myopic to have some difficulties with night vision, but this is not due to retinal disease, but rather to optical issues.” My age is closer to the 55 mph speed limit than it is the 70 mph speed limits, nevertheless, my eyes do at times struggle to clearly read the road signs. In the last couple of years, I’ve also noticed that getting closer to a source of light greatly improves my ability to read the labels since they keep shrinking in size every year LOL! On Thursday of last week, I had to drive unexpectedly out of town and my travels required me driving deep into the night time. My nighttime vision is adequate but it is not sharp. More often than not, I assume what is printed on the roadside signs. Most of us lean on technology and just listen to the directions our smartphones tell us. My smartphone is currently a man’s voice with an Indian accent; he even calls me Pastor. He tells me where and when to turn.

Have you ever thought of the Word of God as a navigation device? It helps us to stay on course throughout life’s journey. It helps to illuminate God‘s truth for us on a daily basis. One of the verses from the midweek Bible study, being taught by Janet, comes from Isaiah chapter 9 which states: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Isaiah 9:2 NLT Let me encourage you to consider coming to the adult Bible study at 6:30 every Wednesday, especially during this season of teaching by my wife. Night blindness can be overcome yet more importantly spiritual blindness needs to be overcome! The first aspect of correction comes as we submit our lives to Christ knowing He’s our only hope of salvation. Yet, our faith goes much further than just being born again. The Scriptures tell us, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7 NLT Sometimes I have no choice but to drive or do things in the dark. And as it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. All of us have night blindness spots in our life, areas where God is working to correct the problem through the illumination.... get closer to His light today!