Open My Eyes

Are your eyes wide open? What do you see?

Maybe you see people who are different from yourself. Do you tend to shy away from spending time with them and instead gravitate towards people who are similar to yourself? I think that's our natural human tendency.

Whenever I travel to New York City, I love to attend Sunday services at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. It's well worth the subway ride to worship in this place. Located in an old theater, the congregation is comprised of people who represent a wide variety of backgrounds and skin colors. As my eyes and ears take in this experience, I'm reminded that heaven will contain people from all backgrounds.

"After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." Revelation 7:9

Let me ask you a question? How do you feel about going to the airport and flying with so many different people? Do you secretly hope the person sitting next to you will keep to himself? Do you size them up by their appearance?

I have to admit there have been many times when I hoped for a quiet flight so I could read my book or write. But if I insisted on no interruptions, I would have missed out on numerous divine moments. Let me explain what I mean.

On one flight I ended up in the middle seat, not one I cherish. I felt scrunched between two women. One had her head buried in a fashion magazine, and the other was arguing with the flight attendant because she didn't want to turn off her electronic device. It was a five-hour flight, and I figured I'd start reading and minding my own business.

But I always pray that God would open my eyes to see people as He sees them.

As the flight attendant served drinks and peanuts, I put down my book and began a conversation with one of the women. It turned out she had been visiting with her elderly parents and was upset about her father's declining health. This began a conversation that eventually turned to faith. By the end of the flight, the other lady joined in and we were exchanging emails. To this day, we are Facebook friends. The three of us were hugging and commenting on how encouraging an experience this was for us.
This is not the first time this has happened to me.

I wonder if you might see people differently if you asked God to open your eyes. See people with eyes of love, See people as Jesus sees them.

I came across this video that is worth the four minutes it takes to watch. May I encourage you to open your eyes? So many people hide behind masks but they are hurting inside. 


Blessings and love,