Seeing and Perceiving

“The eyes are the window to your soul.”

~ William Shakespeare

With social distancing, quarantine precautions, and the wearing of masks, the eyes tend to be our focal point for recognizing the people we encounter.  Since the mouth and other facial parts are covered by the mask, it is sometimes difficult to discern expressions.  With effort, much can be revealed when taking the time to look into a person’s eyes. 

This season of quarantine and slow re-entry is also giving us the time to take a good look at the needs of others, situations, as well as self-inventory.  May we concentrate on seeing, listening, looking for changes that need to be made, and then taking action on what needs to be done.  Isaiah warned that we can have eyes that see, but do not perceive.  My prayer for these days is that we can take and make the time to see and perceive through God’s eyes, eyes that also see with the heart.

“Father’s Eyes”

Gary Chapman

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done,

Good and bad they’ll all be had to see by everyone.

And when you’re called to stand and tell just what you saw in me,

More than anything I know, I want your words to be,

She had her father’s eyes,

Her father’s eyes;

Eyes that found the good in things,

When good was not around,

Eyes that found the source of help,

When help would not be found;

Eyes full of compassion,

Seeing every pain;

Knowing what you’re going through,

And feeling it the same.

Just like my Father’s eyes.

And whether we are wearing a mask or not, when others look at us, may they see that we have our Father’s eyes.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”

Matthew 6:22

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 19:8

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119:18

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

2 Corinthians 8:21

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:18-19a

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2a