I have a new, daily prayer: Today, Lord, give me your eyes.
My perspective would be radically improved if I saw others as Jesus sees them.
As individuals he created. And loves. And wants them to love him back.
Replace my eyes with Yours.
There is no comparison between what my eyes see and what Jesus sees. If I am prayed up, the difference is dramatic, like…
- when I hear the story of a bitter church member and immediately think, “Help me demonstrate forgiveness instead of repaying his anger with mine.”
- when I meet the grumpy waitress and offer to pray for her.
- when I listen to Christian music instead of watching the news on television.
- when I am grateful for a husband who reminds me that getting worked up over what someone has said does nothing but ruin the rest of my day.
- when I am more diligent about relationships than my to-do list.
- when I ignore what the mirror reflects and am more concerned if I demonstrate the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5: 22,23)
The difference is not only life-changing; it’s day-changing. With Jesus’ eyes, I no longer fret when people don’t view things my way (even when I am sooooo right). Jesus didn’t care that people disagreed with him or talked behind his back or even demanded his execution. He saw everyone through the eyes of love. Even those most different from him (which, in my opinion, is a really, really hard thing to do).
Yesterday I failed to do that.
As Board secretary for our condominium complex in Mazatlan, Mexico, I work with six men, most of whom have been the top dogs in their corporate worlds. We don’t always agree, but our job is to make decisions for 88 owners who also never agree. That part I find challenging and invigorating, especially when we are able to justify why we make the decisions we do.
One owner, “Ben,” pushes all of my unloving buttons. If he disagrees with us, he writes scathing emails, threatens to sue and attacks other owners. He doesn’t speak unless spoken to first, and then he talks about himself until his victims pretend to have an errand to run. (I know.)
Yesterday I was in a phone conversation with another Board member, and Ben’s recent email came up. I referred to him as a “narcissist.” It was a safe call; no one who knows Ben would disagree. Obviously, my Jesus’ eyes were closed. (Can you tell?) With Jesus’ lens, I would hurt for Ben and be concerned that he is insecure and desperate for others’ accolades and be grieved that he is an atheist. Yesterday, I wasn’t.
Today, probably because I am writing this article and am faced with my own unloving attitude, I am convicted to reach out to love Ben as Jesus does, with eyes that see based on the restoration of Calvary’s Cross. Today I am convicted that I may be the only Christian God has sent to make a difference, and I am convicted that God wastes no opportunities. Today I am seeing Ben through Jesus’ eyes.
This is a good day, a very good day.
I pray tomorrow be the same.