Alright.  As I have been working on the upcoming “Seeing Clearly” series, I came across a great little video.  It’s nothing spectacular, but I need you to watch it before you read on.  Do not read on without watching the video.  Also, as you watch you must attempt to count the passes that this group of people make with two basketballs.  Easy right?  How many are there?  Don’t do it!  Don’t skip ahead without watching the video!

Click this link for the video:  Basketball Passing

Ok.  Good.  Tell me what you saw?  Here’s the thing: about half of you who watch this video will not see anything other than people passing around basketballs the first time you watch it.  In some live audience situations the percentage is as high as 90%!  If you didn’t see anything abnormal the first time, know you’re in good company!  But, also know that you missed something big.  Watch it again.  This time, don’t worry about counting passes.

It’s amazing what we miss.  The scientific label for missing the obvious in some medium (like the video, or in picture, film, or even real life) is “change blindness.”  Something can be obvious to some, but escape nearly everyone else’s perception.  I think it’s what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 13 that there are people who are “seeing, yet do not see.”  I wonder if he’s talking about me.  (I think I know the answer!)

The obvious question then, is, “What am I missing spiritually?”  What important things should be obvious to me, but are passed over because of my misdirected focus?  Even more condemning is, “Who am I missing?”  What important person is right in front of me that I choose not to see?

Blindness is not just a condition that affects what someone can’t see, it’s also a chasm of darkness that separates people.  But seeing clearly allows us the opportuntiy to come together.  When we see the whole picture, we respond as we ought.  To see better is truly to live better.

Watch this video via youtube for a better understanding of Change Blindness