Eyes of Faith
This devotion was very timely in my life.
Throughout the past several weeks I have struggled to make sense of life around me and the world. But, I learned to open my eyes to see the lesson of life, and to embrace the many blessings that surround all of us.
One only needs to open their eyes to see the inspiration around all of us.
– Millie Hill, EFM Alumna
Thank you, Millie. “Opening our eyes” is a wonderful metaphor.
Nouwen refers to the “life of the Spirit in us,” by whom we “receive new eyes to see, new ears to hear, and new hands to touch.”
This renewal is at the center of what Lent means to me, a time to practice being actively aware of God’s presence, not only in our prayers and meditation, but also in our witness to others through our actions and behavior. Seeing through these “new eyes” allows us to recognize God’s presence everywhere: in nature, in our loved ones, and yes, in reconciling with those with whom we disagree.
Dostoyevsky said it better than me(!):
Love [people] even in [their] sin, for that is the semblance of Divine Love and is the highest love on earth. Love all God’s creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you have perceived it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
Being aware of God around us allows us to see the Divine in others and our world.
Two thoughts come to mind when I read today’s devotional, Mille’s reflection, and Tom’s comment:
The first is that although I don’t totally understand God and his creation, I know it when I see it.
The second is, a dandelion. I know most people think of them as weeds, but, while running a while back, I came across one pushing through a crack in the concrete sidewalk on Walton Way. It had a beautiful bright yellow flower, shining in a sea of grey. It was a wonderful reminder that God’s creation shows up everywhere, and that “One only needs to open their eyes to see the inspiration around all of us.”
Thank you for the reminder Millie.
Andrew and all,
“Although I don’t totally understand God and his creation, I know it when I see it.”
We have a few orchids in our foyer that love that part of the house, by a window, with warm sunshine bathing and nurturing them. I love to see new bloom stems developing, and the prospect of new flowers always makes me smile.
Orchids are a little bit of God on earth. They open slowly, carefully, in a natural dance that is part unpacking and part ballet. They are perfectly symmetrical. They joyously proclaim the wonder of life through their soft whites, vibrant pinks and bright yellows. They often remind us of tiny faces, animals or other objects. I cannot look at their wondrous beauty without thinking about the unimaginable wonder of our own creation.
I see these tiny beauties, and I know, I just know, that I am looking straight into the face of God.