Open Up Your Eyes

A week and two days ago I did something stupid. I was enjoying the gorgeous Florida weather on vacation during Christmas break. Every night my goal was to take a picture of the sunset. However, every day the sunset went down at 5:30, which is insanely early, and my family returned from a day at the beach and shopping later than that. On Sunday (not last Sunday but the week before that), we finally got home at around 5 or 5:15. I thought to myself, "This time, I'm going to be prepared." Yeah, prepared to run head on into my grandparent's glass door!

I was holding my camera and staring at the tranquil water flowing on the lake. The palm trees glistened in the reflection and it was a clear and perfect view. Like the Windex commercial, I guess my grandma cleaned the door a little too well. I completely failed to realize the huge, and hard, glass door covering the water scene. This wasn't the first time. Christmas day I did the same thing! However, it didn't hurt as much, and didn't leave quite a mark. This time, I practically broke my nose. Once I realized what I did, I immediately cried. The pain was excruciating and my dad's yelling in the background only produced more tears. He screamed "Why would you do something like that?" As if I did it on purpose. I assure you, this wasn't an attempted suicide, and a nearly broken nose was not on my Christmas list! Luckily, my tender loving mother (mother's always know what's best when it comes to hurting) examined my injury and ordered my dad to get some ice and aid me. I thought the extent of my accident was just some lost brain cells, considering I could barely think or walk. However, one look in the mirror at the gushing blood told me the door was harder than I thought. The first time, I didn't get too hurt because I was already near the door. The second time, I basically ran, full force, into the pretty picture I thought was reality. Nope! It was just a very clean glass door.

My mother ran to the store and purchased an ice pack and some butterfly bandages. She applied four bandages to my nose and the pain significantly decreased. Thank you Jesus for butterfly band-aids! It only took a few days for the pain to completely stop. I still have a tiny scar on my nose, but it's certainly better (just in case you were worried about me).

Perhaps entertaining, and painful for me, this story can have a biblical message. The only reason I hit the door was because I was blind. Not literally, of course (although I am practically blind without my contacts or glasses), but I was not able to see the glass door directly in front of me. I was distracted by the pretty water, and failed to observe the obstacle in my way. The same is true with faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see," according to Hebrews 11:1. In this context, we don't see God, but still believe in Him. But in our walk with Him, we can also be blinded by not trusting in Him. A huge portion of faith is trust. We need to rely on God and trust Him to lead us. If we don't, we can be blinded by obstacles in our way, like stumbling through darkness (or running into a glass door).

2 Peter 1:8-10 (NIV)

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

As sinful humans, we are constantly blinded. Whether it be by our lack of faith, or lack of trust, there are always lies thrown at us. Sometimes, God can be working (or trying to) in your life, but you can be blind to Him. But, with prayer and willingness to trust in Him, He can open your eyes to marvelous things! God has revealed Himself in so many ways to me, I just had to be looking and not fall into the dark traps.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Unbelievers have already fallen into the trap. They are blinded by false gods or idols (an idol is anything that you value more than God), or just lack of knowledge of the Gospel or of God's love. Perhaps they've heard the story a thousand times, but have hardened their hearts into thinking it's all just "religion" or a list of rules. Maybe they don't want to change their lifestyle or have bought into the lie that if you're a good person you will go to Heaven. They are blind! You are saved by grace alone through Jesus. A relationship with Him is far more fulfilling than any lifestyle you follow. It's the only way to Heaven and God's love is the most beautiful thing on this Earth. Open your eyes.




I love the movie and books by C.S. Lewis "Chronicles of Narnia." This song is based off of the first movie and explains my message well. Just like the children in Narnia had to have faith to see the new world and travel through the magic wardrobe, so do we have to have the same faith and rely on God to guide us. Not only do we have to believe in Him, but also trust in His perfect plan. You won't regret it.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

This is one of my favorite verses because it teaches us to not be blind by our own "understanding" because it's not God's will. My own understanding was that the glass door didn't exist. I didn't see it! There are plenty of other examples in everyone's life of times when "our way" just wasn't God's way and clearly not the right way. Life is all about choices. Wisdom comes first by fearing the Lord, which means relying on His plan and trusting Him. Open up your eyes. Let God reveal Himself to you!

-Eye picture from Google