Eyes That See the Harvest
It's pre op consultation. My wife, who has worn glasses all her life, is sitting opposite an optician assistant going through expectations, backgrounds and some elements to prepare her for eye surgery. There was a phrase that the assistant said that impacted me, and made me realize how life changing this operation would be for my wife. She said, “After the operation everything will change. You will be able to see many colours in their brilliant forms with details. You will be able to see long distance with greater clarity. It will change life for you!". On that, day I learned the surgery involves inserting a new lens to replace the original lens. As a result of the operation, first she looks different; secondly, she is excited to see the world around her with new set of eyes.
Missionally speaking, why is it so hard for us to see that the harvest is plentiful? Why is it hard to pray for more workers to be sent into field? (Mathew 6: 21-23) Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! The eyes are not only a door from the outside into our soul, they are also the expression of the depth of the soul itself to the outside - to all that we look at. When we fail to have our eyes fixed on Jesus who champions, initiates and perfects our faith (Hebrews 12:2), our eyes will wander, become restless, and become curious of things that do not build our lives and the Kingdom. In that way, we fail to see our community as Jesus sees it, because our eyes see only what benefits self.
Perhaps pray, "Jesus replace these worldly eyes with your pure eyes, so that I may become a faithful witness for you in this world, where many are blind and groping about in darkness, and thereby have the honor of being empowered by your Holy Spirit to lead some out of bondage into Jesus’ freedom.”
