THIS. IS. NOT. A. POST. ABOUT. THE. ELECTION!!!
I am actually writing this before any of the polls close so I have no clue what will happen. I will wake up tomorrow (no I will not be staying up late) to find out who won. Call me un-American. Call me non-patriotic. Call me disinterested. (I’m none of those). Doesn’t matter to me. I wrote in my last post that life will move on for me (with a whole lot more viewing pleasure all the way around). I refuse to put my trust in whoever wins or whoever’s party wins or takes control of the Senate and H of R.
I have other more important issues to deal with. Like a sermon to prepare that requires me getting up early and refreshed. Like a class I teach on Wednesday night called “Route 66,” where I am taking some folks through the 66 books of the Bible (we do Isaiah Wednesday night). Like being alert to those around me.
It is this latter idea that has pricked my thoughts for this post. I am ashamed to admit it that I sometimes walk around with blinders on my eyes…spiritual blinders. I see what I want to see. I hear what I want to hear. Blinders are designed to keep a race horse from having peripheral vision and seeing what is on its side. I am sometimes so focused on what is ahead of me that seeing those around me is a non-issue. I JUST DON’T SEE THEM! That sounds pretty calloused doesn’t it? It is almost like I live in a glass bubble with the “hear no evil; see no evil; speak no evil” monkeys right beside me.
I CALL IT FAILING TO HAVE SPIRIT EYES
Having “Spirit Eyes” means I become a better spouse, a better parent, a better neighbor, a better pastor, a more engaged individual in the lives of people around me. I remember walking down the streets of McKeesport, PA with my mother (this was before malls) and the panhandlers were there, and even at the ripe old age of 8 or 9 turning my head and looking the other way. I am now 60 and if not careful can still catch myself doing that. But having “Spirit eyes” means having God’s eyes and being willing to be used. See this verse. The first part of that verse stops me in my tracks. Having His eyes means looking actively for ways to show His love to others.
That means I have to take my blinders off! I see my neighbor struggling to keep it together. I see a person struggling to make ends meet after a spouse walks out. It means being patient with the waiter at the restaurant when my food is a little late- through no fault of his/her own!
I have to get my blinders off and see people through God’s eyes. How about you? Do you struggle with this? What do you do to see people through “Spirit eyes?”
All too often I get so focussed on myself and my crap that I am useless. It’s me, me, me. This is not who I want to be. But it somehow seems out of my control. Something else seems to just move in and take control of me and I feel helpless.
I get that way at times as well Daniel. Things are about me. That is a daily battle.
Indeed, I do struggle with it.
Sometimes I do alright, and sometimes not so much.
I’m looking forward to the day when (in Heaven) it will all come naturally.
Sometimes, in my sinfulness, I have to force it (being obedient). Then my motives are shot to h-e-double hockey sticks.
Well said Steve. Lots of things will be made better in heaven. 🙂
Bill, I have fo fight it all of the time. I was taught to look down on people like that.
That is hard to hear: I was taught to look down on people like that. Ugh. But least you are fighting that ingraining.
Bill, I would say that it was not ever overt. It was just by example and attitude. It was what I saw. I thought it was normal. I had to become aware of it. And fight. And fight. And fight some more. And I lose the fightit sometimes.
Keep fighting Larry.
“Spirit Eyes” is a Wiccan concept. I hope you are not changing your spiritual allegiances. You would have to be blind to not see or feel or recognize the suffering all around. The problem is “What can little old me do about it” Obviously ignoring it and focusing on ones self is a normal response. “Everything is about me” tends to allow a certain amount of comfort but it still leaves a void.
Confucious said it best when he suggested we treat each other the way we want to be treated. If you want support then give support. If you want criticism then be critical. If you want friends then be a friend. If you want a kind word then give a kind word. To put it simply….just be nice.
My biggest fear is that if I get it right I might end up with 7000 goats on my front lawn.
Obviously not changing allegiances. 🙂 I have used the term “Spirit eyes” for years to mean looking with the eyes of the (Holy) Spirit. Seeing people as He sees them. Or as Jesus described “lost and lonely without a shepherd.” Unfortunately, many don’t see what is around them. Yikes on the 7000 goats. I don’t think your lawn is big enough.
I need and want Spirit eyes too. My attitude is always so much better when I am attempting to see things through His perspective instead of my limited view.
as they used to say a lot: “you ain’t just whistling Dixie” when you say that about our attitude Eileen. Mine is sooooo much better.
This may not be about the election but it certainly is PERFECT for today- I pray with you for Spirit eyes to see as Father sees…
hugs
Thanks Robin. So good to hear from you. I too pray for Spirit eyes today.
Bill you always make me think….I thank you for that. I know that “seeing” like Father God involves a choice and a surrendered spirit. Praying I get better at both!
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:15 ESV
I need both Jay. Thanks for the compliment. I also like that verse.
Thanks for the reminder Bill!
You’re welcome Bill
Yes, life does go on…no matter what transpires in washington.
There is work to be done for God’s Kingdom and we all (without exception) are guilty of having blinders on. If we delude ourselves into thinking our Spiritual Eyes are wide open, we are simply more blinded than others who realize they need help taking their blinders off.
God bless your work. May you see through the eyes of Christ to love as He loves. May we all…
So right about work needing to be done for God’s kingdom. That must be our focus, not the earthly king or kingdom. Thanks for your “blessing” at the end TC.
I’m struggling with seeing people with Spiritual eyes today. In the lostness and free will of our fellow countrymen, who ignore the calling of God, we are all effected. Much like in the Old Testament, everyone suffers for the willful disobedience of God’s moral laws by others.
It’s difficult to have compassion on those who are willfully ignorant… Putting faith in mankind always ends the same… History just continues to repeat itself…
I’m praying for those illusive spiritual eyes today…
It is tragic that so many put their faith in men and mankind. It will let them down…BIG TIME. It is def a right time to pray for them.
Great word today Bill. I just heard a sermon by Francis Chan that is so applicable here. Francis talked about “just do it”.
The Bible is full of verses about loving our enemies, taking care of the poor, forgiving the unforgivable. Yet we put on blinders because being like Jesus is hard and it isn’t popular.
You mean we have to do that?
We have to forgive?
Surely God doesn’t expect me to love ____, does He?
I have been praying that God would help me to love like He loves. To have the eyes to see what He wants me to see. And to have the faith to be obedient when opportunities come up for me to serve, love, forgive, etc.
You are so right Craig about “Just do it.” Stop trying to worm out of it and just get on with the task. Thanks.
So glad to be back in town and read your honest posts, Bill. 🙂 I think we all struggle with this because the cost of staying open seems so large, but the more we get filled up with God and His love, the more He provides opportunity for us to pour it out. In turn, we find our capacity increasing the next time around. That’s what I want. Great challenge, Bill. Thank you.
So good to have you back also Jason. Hope the recording went well. Anxious to hear it. You are right about the cost of staying open being large. But God is bigger. Thanks for coming by.
I’m humbled by how my busyness can blind me like you mention. Sometimes I make it the practice of looking inside the cars of passing motorists (as safety permits) and just meditating on the fact that all of these people I don’t know are people with hopes and dreams and fears and problems and successes… and souls. For some reason, that helps me reorient myself sometimes.
That is a great practice Loren (as long as it is done safely). Who knows what is going through the minds and hearts of those in the car next to you/me.
Great post brother…it’s always a battle to fight the “all about me” attitude. We ladies are going through the book of James again and all of us said, we need to do this again. But I think we need to act on what we know to do…put a little action to our faith. Otherwise it won’t matter how many times we go through James.
By the way I finally got that post on divorce posted.
You have the correct view of James Betty. His old idea is live what you believe. Study it but live it. Will read the post. Thanks.
I love your honesty, Pastor Bill, and everyone else’s here too. 🙂 God had to have a talk with me recently about this. He is asking me to hold lightly to my plans each day, being willing to drop them, so I can be ready to pick up whatever or whomever He sends my way. God bless you!
When I read your comment Deb, the song “hold on loosely” by 38 Special came to mind. We hold on too tightly to earthly things and plans and sometimes thwart God’s best for us.
Love this post. This is something I pray for everyday, looking at people through God’s eyes, but I love “sprit eyes”.
Thanks Jan. I have this sneaking suspicion you definitely do this. 🙂