Tunnel Vision

From My Perspective - - -

During World War II, owning an automobile was not advantageous. Everything necessary to operate a car was rationed – gasoline, rubber for tires (and tires), oil. The alternative was to either use public transportation, car pool, walk or forego going on any unnecessary trip or journey. Rationing was a reality with food items as well. What is deemed as regular items for use – coffee, butter, meat, other items - were in short supply. The Automotive Industry shifted over to making Tanks, Jeeps, etc. rather than cars. For four years, no new cars were available.

Our society and culture is oriented around and toward things and stuff. There is an apparent lack of discipline when it comes to how many things and how much stuff is necessary and sufficient. A program on The History Channel called American Pickers features two men who are called “Antique Archeologists”. They travel into various parts of the country and find people who have accumulated and/or who are hoarding what other people have discarded as being no longer useable. These “collectors” go to Flea Markets and Yard Sales to purchase the things and stuff that people want to get rid of and are willing to sell at a fraction of what an item cost. The “collector” refurbishes or restores an item and resells it to someone else who wants to accumulate things and stuff from another era or passing fad.

Why or How does this culture allow itself to become obsessed with things and stuff? Why is that so many times a person will purchase an item he does not need and cannot afford – and very soon – will no longer use? It may be due to a misconception or misguided notion that there is happiness and/or security in the things one possesses. Another possibility may be found in the area of Tunnel Vision. It’s the idea of seeing something in the immediate through a very restricted understanding or narrow viewpoint. The Medical Dictionary defines Tunnel Vision as: “constriction of the visual field resulting in loss of peripheral vision…” When used as an idiom, it carries the meaning of: (1) Literally: a visual impairment wherein one can only see what is directly ahead of oneself. Illustrated: “I have tunnel vision, so I have to keep looking from side to side.” (2) Figurative: an inability to recognize other ways of doing things or thinking about things. Illustrated: “The boss really has tunnel vision about sales and marketing. He sees no reason to change anything.” The World Dictionary defines Tunnel Vision as: “a condition in which peripheral vision is greatly restricted; narrowness of viewpoint resulting from concentration on a single idea or opinion to the exclusion of others…” Tunnels are designed to (1) provide a passageway through an obstacle, such as, a Mountain, and (2) keep something out, such as water or earth. The purpose is safe passage.

The issue of things, stuff, tunnel vision – and – what gives one satisfaction and/or happiness is addressed by Jesus in Luke 12:15-21 (NIV), “Then he said to them: Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops. Then he said: This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself: You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him: You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Tunnel Vision allows one to focus upon Self – personal accomplishment and affluence. It allows one to place value on what one has or hoards. It clouds thinking and greatly limits perspective. During the Temptation of Jesus Christ – Matthew 4:3-4 – the effort was made to cause Jesus to restrict Himself to Tunnel Vision and to satisfy His hunger – “The tempter came to him and said, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered, It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The tempter was frustrated because Jesus spoke of the bigger picture. Jesus rejected Tunnel Vision and so should you! Consider these things with me!