EYES

This morning "eyes" was the word of the day. In my scripture reading today Psalm 123 "I lift my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven...so our eyes look to the Lord our God..." Quite a powerful reminder as to where our eyes should look every day. Then I read Acts chapter 2 when Peter and John were going to the temple and met a man crippled from birth. I love what Peter said to the man in verse 4 "'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention..." Doesn't this picture sound personal and caring? Before they spoke healing into this man they made eye contact with him.

Eyes say a lot about a person. We can see in someones eyes if there is joy and if there is pain in their life. So why does our society avoid eye contact. Some people are wonderful at making eye contact with someone else. When we look directly into a persons eyes we see deeper. Maybe we don't want to see deep into each others lives. Maybe we wouldn't know what to do if we saw pain or sadness. Peter knew - "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." He spoke healing into this man's life - healing that can only come from Jesus. That eye contact gave the man their full attention. It said, we care, Jesus loves you!

Denise told me about a new way that she learned to pray on her mission trip. To look directly into someone's eyes while you pray with them. To speak truth into their life - ie: you are loved so much by Jesus - he does not leave you - you are beautiful - in Jesus name he will take away your (whatever they are dealing with). She said this was a stretch for her but she practiced it on a 70 year old man and tears poured down his face. I can picture this can't you? I can't remember the last time someone just cared enough to look directly into my eyes and pray with me (besides Tim) - to see and love me for who I am - to speak the love and truth of Jesus into my life. My natural instinct is to look down, away from the person's eyes while we pray. Not that this is wrong, I am not saying that. I think God was just showing me in scripture this morning that this is an area in my life that he wants to soften. An area that I have been too stiff in and it's time to break that down.

We are told to keep our eyes on Jesus - why? Because with our eyes fixed on him we can see clearly where to go and what to do. When we speak into each others lives and look at each other, we can see clearly love and compassion that Jesus wants displayed in our life.

Soften this area in my life Lord. Make me an instrument for you. As I write this there is someone that is on my mind that I believe the Lord wants me to contact. Someone that needs the love of Jesus spoken into her pain. Guide me Lord. Walk with me Lord. Take away anything that is in the way so that I can see clearly the way to go. Make me humble and meek to serve you and speak your life into this person's life. Keep my eyes focused on you Jesus. Look in me deep in my heart and pour your unending love in me and though me so that your love can pour out of me.