It was a day that forever changed my life. I was sitting in the eye doctor's chair with a bright light shining in my eyes. For the next several minutes, all the eye doctor would say was "hmmmmm" and "well." By the time I walked out of his office, I had a prescription for glasses that would compensate for my near-sightedness, my astigmatism and the detached retina in my left eye. And the doctor had enough money to make a down payment on a new Mercedes.

I had to face the fact that, at the ripe old age of 32, I just couldn't see as well as I did when I was 20. I had to have a little help to recover those moments of youth.

A week later, that help arrived in the form of a pair of glasses. I was forewarned that it would take or day or so for my eyes to adjust to the assistance they were now receiving and that my depth perception would be a little bit off.

It turned out that my depth perception was a whole lot off. In the span of two hours, I twisted my ankle when I stepped off a curb, knocked over practically everything on my desk, and I did a few other things I'm too embarrassed to bring up. But sure enough, by the end of the next day, I could see much better. In fact, I started seeing things I had never noticed before. Oh, things like the line "Printed In Japan" and the scratches shopping carts had embedded in my car.

Even my depth perception was better. I haven't hurt myself more than twice since that first day. And you know, that's an interesting thought - good depth perception. Looking past the surface and taking into account the whole picture.

That's something I guess all of us in Southern Gospel Music sometimes fail to do. We get caught up in the everyday toils trying to produce a hit song, trying to make sure there are good performance dates, trying to be the best this-that-or-the-other - that kind of thing. But what about the overall picture?

Would what we have we said or done today make Jesus proud of us? Have we picked a song to sing that truly has a Gospel message or is it full of gimmicks? Did something we do today plant a seed that God will cultivate and harvest - or did we just do something to make ourselves feel good?

Remember, someday there will be an accounting of every single thing we've done in our life. Did we use our talents for the Lord - or for us? Did we step out front to stand as a Christian - or did we step out front just to feel the warmth of the spotlight? Did we do something to encourage a friend - or did we do something to stroke our own ego?

Southern Gospel Music is a powerful instrument. People are watching our every move, hanging on our every word. Do you truly realize that whatever you do in Southern Gospel Music can be a key factor in helping point a person toward the Lord - or turning them away?

To truthfully answer those questions above, you have to look deep inside. Walking on the surface doesn't provide the answers. You have to go way beyond that.

Good depth perception. It's something everybody ought to have.