“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8)
The mantis shrimp is neither a mantis nor a shrimp but derives its name from claws similar to a praying mantis and a body similar to a shrimp. They can grow to be about 12 inches long. This sea creature likes to live a solitary life, hiding in rock formations and waiting for prey to come by, though it will chase and kill for food.
They were called “sea locust” by the ancient Assyrians, and in Australia, they are referred to as “prawn killers.” Unfortunately, they are also called “thumb splitters” because of the nasty gash they can inflict if not handled carefully.
Mantis shrimp have powerful claws that they use to attack prey, but the characteristic that really stands out in the mantis shrimp is its eyes. They are considered the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Each eye is mounted at the end of a stalk and can move independently. Not only that, but each eye is designed to have three regions, giving the mantis shrimp the ability to see three parts of an object from a slightly different angle!
In the Bible, Jesus talked about improving your eyesight. He said that our ability to see God is directly related to our hearts. We must be “pure in heart” if we want to see God as He is.
Is there any sin in your life that may be hindering your spiritual eyesight?