O: Open

Asher has always been the center of attention. When he was a toddler he would engage us in endless games of Follow the Leader. His latest effort to gain our attention is to announce that it’s time for Talent Show in the living room. His talent might be creating music on the piano or juggling with one ball. Last week’s offering had us all in stitches: he was performing magic.

“Watch while I make this car ‘jus-da-peer’ (meaning disappear).” Our eyes were riveted. “Watch me. Now, close your eyes.” At this point we were all required to close or cover our eyes. Once he achieved the expected compliance, and none of us were peeking, he would put the car in his pocket, under his shirt, or hide it under the footstool. Then he would announce the ‘jusdapeerance’ with a proud “Tada!” to which we gleefully responded with amazement and ovations.

“Watch me. Close your eyes.” The phrase stuck with me and I decided to meditate on it to see what God might want to teach me. A couple thoughts bubbled to the surface. First, how like us that is. We start our faith journey with eyes wide open. Then we get scared and our trust flies out the window as we shut our eyes tight. When we do that we can’t see how God is working and when we don’t see it we begin to wonder if he is working. If we would only open our eyes we might see so much of his handiwork.

As I thought longer, though, I began to see that “Watch me, close your eyes” might be exactly what God wants us to do. We walk by faith not sight—or we’re supposed to. His desire is that we would open the eyes of our heart (see Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:188ff). Thomas is told, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” After all, what is the definition of faith? According to Hebrews: 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (11:1, NIV).

Two songs have been welling up from within my heart today. First, is the chorus, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord…I want to see you.” And, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…I once was blind, but now I see.”

So I’m wondering how your vision is today? Are your spiritual eyes open? He has so much to show you and he won’t ‘jusdapeer.’