The Eyes Have It

I used to do a lot of artwork. Calligraphy, pencil drawing, pen and ink, and watercolor painting. Calligraphy came most easily to me but my favorite was pen and (black) ink work. There's something thrilling about making a bird or butterfly come alive on paper with just the perfectly laid strokes of a black pen.

I haven't picked up a pen, pencil or sketchpad in years but I did a few weeks ago. Surprise, surprise - none of the pencil strokes laid where I wanted them to. My attempts looked more like kindergarten scribbles. I knew in an instant what had happened. I'd stopped seeing. I'd ceased spending hours upon end observing the intricate details of objects and scenes. I'd forgotten how to look at something, I mean really look at something.

Last week in our study we focused on the beatitude "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matt 5:8). I was reminded how seeing is an art within itself. Whether you're observing shapes and shadows and endeavoring to convey that to others as art or seeing a need in someone's life and pondering how to meet that need, seeing is a skill that must be honed. How we see things - be it life, the needs of others or God's hand at work - makes all the difference. I don't know about you but I want to see. Really see. Not just with my eyes but with the eyes of my heart.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Eph 1:17-18)