And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
34And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
~Matthew 20:32-34
Throughout these chapters I sat dumbstruck at God’s unique perspective. Jesus put flesh and blood on this opposing viewpoint time and again.
Just some of the contrasts I observed:
- Children are lowly, even annoyances — Children are treasures, and we all should learn the humility of a child
- Physical beauty should be maintained at all cost — A crippled body is nothing in comparison to losing eternal reward
- Pride in self, stand tall! — Lay down your “rights” and forgive again, and again, and again
- Give me a list to check off, to show I’m good enough — Even when you check it all off, you could never repay all you owe
- Push your way to the top — The first shall be last
Jesus Christ taught it and lived it. His ways fly high above our ways and His thoughts above our thoughts. He continually opened eyes during His earthly ministry, physically and spiritually.
God functions on an economy quite foreign in our modern society. I need to reevaluate my priorities and efforts based solely on His viewpoint.
Value life — what can I do to treasure life more? Protect the unborn, speak out for the terminally ill, hug and love on my family more
Keep physical appearance in its place — take care of my body, but do not obsess about imperfections, placing a great weight on them than the eternal service of that body part
Putting others first — Forgiveness needs to be habit, showering God’s grace unreservedly
Lay down my cross daily — not to earn salvation or repay a debt, but out of love for all He has done and continues to do in my life
Practice humility — Striving to raise God’s banner and name, not my own. It’s all about Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for these repeated reminders that Your thinking might not always seem natural to me. Help me to see and think and value the way You do. As I look at the creation, I want to see through Your eyes. Open my eyes and help me to follow with joyful surrender. ~Amen
From the archives. Originally published October 8, 2009.
Sixty-six books in a year 