The Eyes Have It
The eye appointment revealed what I already knew. Squinting, staring and guessing did not hide my inability to read those teeny, tiny letters on the exam room wall. The diagnosis: “You need eye surgery.”
Vision is critical for optimal living. Who doesn’t love smiling at a baby coaxing them to grin back? Or watching a child successfully conquer a challenging task? Or witnessing a radiant bride step through the church entry? Watch the bridegroom’s reaction to his “first look” – his eyes riveted to her bring tears of joy and anticipation.
Eyes can reveal many things. Terms like “Shifty-eyed”, “Flirtatious eyes,” “Stink-eye,” “Surprised eyes,” even a “wink” – all bring to mind a universal understanding of such expressions.
“The eye is a window to the soul” (see Matthew 6:22-23) refers to “seeing” a person’s thoughts and emotions merely by looking at her face. Creation records God’s reaction to seeing Adam and Eve and all that he had made: He declared it “Good.” But the “good” in that newly-minted couple took a rapid U-turn when they saw forbidden fruit, ushering disobedience into their now not-so-good world.
Sin prompted by visual desire has plagued mankind ever since the garden “fall.” Each one of us is guilty of breaking God’s demand for thought, word and deed perfection. Sinful behavior perpetuates discord within families and acquaintances wherever we live, work or play. Unchecked, our relationships suffer, bringing increasing separation from one another and ultimately, from the Lord.
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” James 4:1, 2
Then enters Jesus. His ministry provides spiritual-vision correction. Holy-Spirit-faith alters the believer’s soul forever. The all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful Savior-God restores His followers - the church- by virtue of His death-defying gesture of immeasurable sacrificial grace on Calvary’s cross. This redeeming love changes how we understand the world and God’s plan for our role in it: as cherished and chosen witnesses.
“You are the God who sees me.” Genesis 16:13
Old Testament leaders who “did right (or did evil) in the eyes of the Lord” are repeating history in these “modern times.” Some in authority do agreeable (and some do disagreeable) things, too. Such circumstances have not escaped God’s notice. Prayer warriors are urgently needed!
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12
God sees you and I, dear reader, through the righteous love of his Son, lavishing onto us His eternal protection and security.
“… the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a
Sin-filled sights and sounds in this world continue to lure our attention away from the Good Shepherd. Faith families who worship and study God’s Word grow in hope together.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4
At the completion of measured time, I pray that my vision (and yours!) remains clearly focused on Jesus and His bible promises.
“While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death,
when I soar through tracts unknown, see thee on thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.” Hymn #389 CW
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8