Eyes to See Intro

Gregg’s Reflection

Two of my Gallup Strengths are strategic and futuristic. I can see further down the tracks than many. That was frustrating to me, because I couldn’t understand why others could not see what I saw. Then, years later, I realized it was a gift, and not everyone has that gift.

Some years ago, I was making another pass through the New Testament, and I was struck by the number of times Jesus said, “For those who have eyes to see, let them see, and for those who have ears to hear, let them hear.” I began to meditate on that phrase, and realized that the implication of those statements are that not everyone has eyes to see or ears to hear. This quote from Jesus in Matthew helped me understand in a deeper way.

Matthew 13:15-17: For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

I began to understand why some things God made clear to me were not at all obvious to others. I started to pray for eyes to see and ears to hear, and realized these were gifts from God. It is the Spirit that gives us wisdom and understanding. For years, like Solomon, I have been praying for the gift of Wisdom. What I did not recognize was that these prayers opened me to see things that had been in front of me the whole time, yet I had not been able to see them.

Years ago, I attended a 3DM event. I was quite taken by this simple power equation that Steve Cockram shared at the event.

I realized that I could increase the power of God flowing through my life if I could reduce my resistance to God’s will. Since that day, I pray each morning that the Spirit might strengthen me so I could turn from my selfish desires, and that God would shape me to be that which He would make of me. Some amazing things have happened. I keep finding people crossing my path who are wounded or in some place of need. As I have made myself available, and kept my focus on Him, grace-filled moments have multiplied, and God is using me to touch people with His wonderful grace. 

I was sharing this with my spiritual director, and he said something that clicked, “These opportunities have been there all the time, but now you are able to see them.” I went on to say that after a few weeks, the newness of this experience began to dim, and my sense of God’s presence also dimmed. To this he responded, “It’s like taking a step up. At first the terrain looks new, but after we have been walking for a while, the newness wears off. That does not mean that you have stepped back down from that step, just that it is becoming familiar.” 

Richard Foster’s book, Life with God, Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation, teaches that the purpose of reading the scriptures is that we might be changed, transformed. Paul says it this way:

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

So, let me get this straight, after my mind is transformed, I can know what God’s will is. Before transformation, everything is cloudy. After, I can test and approve what God’s will is. So, part of transformation is that we can receive eyes to see and ears to hear God’s perfect will. What an incredible blessing.

Have you noticed how many references to ‘eyes to see’ and ‘ears to hear’ in Scripture? Have you ever prayed for eyes to see as God sees? Can you see the unseen connection throughout the web of life, that all human and other than human creatures are completely interdependent?

May you pray for wisdom, and receive it. May you have eyes to see and ears to hear, that you are transformed by the renewing of your mind, to see God’s faint path unfolding, and hear the still, small voice of the Spirit calling you forward into God’s perfect will. Find the full post on my website here.

Journaling Prompt: Research shows that our time with God is the most meaningful time, yet, we watch TV much more than we pray or seek God’s presence. What practices open your eyes to see more deeply into the world around us? Will you commit to making time each day for this practice for a month? I’d love to hear what you learn to see when you slow down and look deeply.

Scripture

You will listen and listen again and not understand, see and see again and not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing and they have shut their eyes for fear that they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and be converted and be healed by me…..  But happy are your eyes because they see and your ears because They hear. I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy ones long to see what you see and never saw it, to hear what you hear and never heard it.

Isaiah 6:9-10

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’

Mark 4:9-12

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.”  

Luke 10:23

Ancient Writings

The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.

Meister Eckhart, Selected Writings, p. 179

Seek out someone who is free from illusion about the world. It is very important to consult with those who are seeing things as they really are if we are to come to know ourselves.

St. Teresa of Ávila, Interior Castle, trans Mirabai Starr, p. 83

Modern Writings

The thing that we have to face is that life is as simple as this. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story, it is true.

Thomas Merton, from Merton’s final address as novice; recorded at the Abbey of Gethsemani on August 20th, 1965

Contemplation is any way one has of penetrating illusion and touching reality.

Parker Palmer

Spirituality is about awakening the eyes, the ears, and the heart so we can see what’s always been happening right in front of us.

Richard Rohr, Jesus’ Alternative Plan, p. 39

Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. I know there is light in the darkness that makes everything new. I know there is a joy beyond sorrow that rejuvenates my heart. Yes, Lord, I know that you are, that you act, that you love, that you indeed are Light, Life, and Truth. People, work, plans, projects, ideas, meetings, buildings, paintings, music, and literature all can only give me real joy and peace when I can see and hear them as reflections of your presence, your glory, your kingdom.

Henri Nouwen, Nouwen Society Daily Devotion, 11/30/20