Give Me Your Eyes
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see – Brandon Heath
I was recently reading an interview with Bebo Norman about his song “Brittney.” In the CCM Magazine online article, he says:
“I was up late, couldn’t sleep, watching some news channel, when yet another story about Britney Spears came on. My first instinct was to scoff and write it off, but then there was this freeze-frame shot of a look on her face of utter and absolute despair and confusion and brokenness—a look that I recognized. And I remember thinking “This girl is a child of God.” Suddenly, I saw her story not as something to mock, but as a real-life tragedy that is desperate for redemption and hope—a story not so different from any of our stories. Take away all the lights and cameras, and it’s really just a narrative of a girl so clearly in need of love, so clearly in need of the redeeming love of our God.”
How many times have I seen a news story on Britney and just ignored it? How many times have I thought of it as another spoiled Hollywood star who has gotten what they asked for? Yes, I am guilty of doing just that – not loving, not caring, not compassionate and not seeing them through the eyes of God. Why stop with Hollywood stars I don’t know personally? What about my church family? What about my relatives? What about those around me who aren’t following Christ? What about my neighbors? What about strangers in Walmart? What about the homeless guy or gal on the exit ramp of the interstate? Am I seeing them through God’s eyes showing love, mercy, grace, forgiveness or compassion?
After reading that story and examining my own heart, I can clearly see how at times I have allowed my personal belief system to prevent me from loving on those around me. This is something our belief system is never supposed to do. Don’t get me wrong, Doctrine and Theology are extremely important. However, when I allow myself to go to extremes with them in the way I regard people; it is a sin on my part. Whatever my view is on salvation does not give me the right to sit back passive and without compassion to a world lost and dying.
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us to love those around us:
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
1 Thesselonians 4:9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
I have fallen so short. While I’m not exactly rude – I do allow myself to get disconnected. I find myself thinking, “Oh well, if it’s God’s will, He will do something.” My efforts will have no effect on God’s sovereign plan; I cannot change what He has purposed to do. But that isn’t the point. The point is to obey the teachings of Jesus, love on those around us who God saw fit for His purpose and His glory that they even be created. It isn’t my job to filter out those who love the Lord and ignore the masses. I want to see everyone through God’s eyes. I want to be a loving person who shows compassion and cares greatly for people.
That is why I have absolutely loved that song by Brandon Heath. I want to see people with the eyes of Jesus. I listen to it daily to remind myself of how I have been convicted of my own shortfall and strive to be more and more like Jesus everyday – prayerfully seeking the Lord to stir my heart with compassion and love for His creation.
Lord,
Give me your eyes for the neighbor struggling with a divorce.
Give me your eyes for the newly divorced mom with children.
Give me your eyes for that couple at church struggling financially.
Give me your eyes for those kids whose parents are not involved.
Give me your eyes for those parents.
Give me your eyes for our new President.
Give me your eyes for the homeless person standing on the street corner.
Give me your eyes for the person living in sin.
Give me your eyes for the celebrity who is living out public humiliation.
Give me your eyes for those who have lost loved ones; children, parents, friends, spouses.
Father, forgive me for my pride filled heart and my lack of empathy towards those around me. I praise You that You are sovereign and as Isaiah says, nothing can thwart your plans. However, I want to be used. I want to be used as an instrument to spread the incredible news of your redeeming love and promise of forgiveness and mercy and compassion to those who are suffering and dying in their sin. Give me your eyes for humanity. Here I Am Lord, use me. In Jesus Christ precious and Holy name above all names. Amen.
In Christ Alone, Renee
Wow; I can’t believe that you wrote on this particular topic today. This is something the Lord has been telling me for some time now. Help me to see others through Jesus’ eyes! It totally changes my perspective. Instead of judging, I see pain and sorrow in many eyes. It’s amazing how often people cover up their pain to present an image to the outside world. But only the Lord knows what’s really going on in their hearts.
I’ve heard it said that hurting people hurt people. It’s hard to love others when you don’t feel love.
I thank you for posting this today, Renee. For me, it was a good reminder of what I believe the Lord has been trying to teach me for some time now.
That is so strange … I woke up this morning with this very song going around in my head. I haven’t been able to stop singing this song and then here I read the words of the song again. (now I’ll never get that song out of my head today! ha) What a wonderful reminder to us to look at people like Jesus sees them. Great post today – blessings, Laurie
This song has made me think too about how I look at people. Thank you for sharing today.
Amen, beautifully said. I love this song.
Wow, this post really spoke to me. I came back to read it again now. Thank you. I always look forward to reading your thoughts. Hugs.
Thank you for the reminder that we should see others through His eyes.