Year 6 - Day 215: Today, I am grateful we can choose an open heart. "What you see with an open heart is far more important than what you see with open eyes." -Lisa Bevere
What a great reminder to not let what we see be the only thing that directs our path. An open heart does not see with the same eyes.
"Open the eyes of my heart Lord..." Earworm is singing the song by Michael W Smith that has been sung by so many in worship.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You"
There are times we need to step back... or step forward... and see with different eyes. It changes how we respond to even challenging situations. It changes everything, including our attitudes.
Compassion changes everything. It is easier when we are well rested and not pressed for time and pushed by deadlines. Perhaps, that is when it is even more important to be intentional.
When pursuing the heart of Christ daily, times of reflection are needed. How many times this week have I failed to see with eyes of an open heart? (This is a reflection question... not looking for a count or an answer.) Every day has it's moments, right? Some days have more than others.
This ancient path know as "The Way" leads to fullness and life, but the distractions of life have always been overwhelming at times. Times and technology have changed; people are not so different. People will always have cultural influences, family challenges, work pressures, health struggles, church things, community commitments and social obligations. Even then, people had to make choices.
My Bible Study this year has been walking through the New Testament in chronological order. The months in the gospels had us walking the path Jesus walked. Seeing what Jesus saw.
He saw lonely tax collectors and called them to dine... and for Matthew, into close fellowship.
He saw the sick and broken... and healed them.
He saw the sick and broken... and healed them.
He fed the hungry.
He calmed the storm.
He saw the gentile, Samaritan Woman at the well, knowing her past, and saw her future.
He masterfully came to the defense of a woman about to be stoned.
He loved.
"Lord, help me see what you want me to see and do what you want me to do." - Amen
Such a simple prayer... but in sync with the heart of Jesus. The Old Testament offers another reminder to be heart smart. When choosing a new king for Israel, the prophet Samuel first looked at Jesse's sons with his human eyes. Then the Lord reminded him to look with his heart.
“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”-1 Samuel 16:7
"Open the eyes of our heart, Lord."
Now, we can take on the day.
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