An eye single

While I have been focused on the Savior’s teachings to His disciples during the Last Supper, I want to take a moment to explore another passage. Here it is:

Matthew 6:21–23For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

In leadership, purpose is of paramount importance. To lead, one must have a vision of what they hope to achieve—and a reason for that vision. This is the leader’s treasure. It is what matters to the leader and what gives birth to their leadership.

Christ taught His disciples that this treasure—this vision of what one desires and why—is where their heart will be. It is the source of their desire, motivation, and drive. He then explains that the light (or lamp, in Greek) of the body is the eye, and if the eye is single (which can mean simple, sincere, or not self-seeking in Greek), the whole body shall be full of light.

While I recognize there are many possible interpretations and do not wish to claim that what follows is the “correct” one, I also recognize that Jesus often taught in symbolic ways, aiming to reach people where they were and teach them what they needed to know, rather than conveying a single, definitive meaning.

So, let me share what this suggests to me at this stage of my life.

Whether one is a leader or a follower, their sense of purpose is critical. The lamp that guides them determines their direction and identity. For those who follow Christ, their eyes need to be full of light (Christ) and single—not focused on serving their own will, but on simply and sincerely seeking His.

So, what is His will for you in your leadership? What is His will regarding your vision and purpose? How can you sincerely and simply follow it?

To answer these questions, I suggest you:

1. Take time to reflect on the roles you play in life—as a spouse, parent, sibling, employee, leader, etc.

2. Seek to know what God’s will is for you in each of those roles.

3. Sincerely and simply determine how best to pursue His will.

4. Plan and schedule what you will do to achieve His will.

Take some time to do this today and see what happens when your eye becomes single to His glory.