Every morning, the first thing we do is open our eyes.
We look at the time, quickly look around, then get up, but we are always looking where we are going. We go into the bathroom and look at ourselves. (Some like what they see, others groan in agony.) We have been given the gift of sight, and we use it every day, all of the time.

There are a fortunate few that have seen things most of us haven’t. Their eyes were opened to sights that are not visible to the rest of us, by the only One that can reveal such things. after reading these, we will look at why this is important to us and how we can ask God for the vision to see things that He wants us to see.

Hagar – Wandering in the wilderness makes one hungry and extremely thirsty, so Hagar’s and her son Ishmael’s provisions were quickly gone. Soon they were both nearing death. As Hagar wept a short distance away from her son whom she thought would certainly die, God heard Ishmael’s cry. The angel of the Lord called to Hagar from heaven, telling her not be afraid. Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
(Genesis 21:8-21)

Balaam – This man was called upon by a king to curse Israel. When Balaam was en route to meet with this king, his donkey saw an angel standing firm in front of them with a drawn sword. Not wanting his master to die, he refused to go toward the angel, pressing its master’s foot against a rock wall. This infuriated Balaam, so he hit the donkey several times. The Bible says that the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, who asked Balaam, “Why did you strike me?” When he answered, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and then he saw the angel of the Lord standing in their way, with his drawn sword in his hand.
(Numbers 22:22-35)

Elisha’s servant – One night the Syrian army with horses and chariots surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant were staying. The next morning, the servant went out and saw their serious predicament. Elisha said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young servant, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fireball around Elisha.
Then when the Syrian army came down against them, Elisha prayed and asked, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So He did.
After he led them to Samaria, he prayed, “Lord open the eyes of these men.” So the Lord opened their eyes.”
(2 Kings 6:14-20)

Two disciples on the road to Emmaus – After Jesus rose from the dead but prior to his heavenly ascension, Jesus met up with and walked with 2 of his disciples, one named Cleopas. As the three of them discussed the Scriptures, the men’s eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus. After they reached their evening destination and were about to eat dinner, Jesus took the bread and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
(Luke 24:13-31)

For reasons unknown to us, God has kept hidden from our sight the realm of his heaven, his kingdom not of this world. Perhaps that is a good thing, since man’s nature is to conquer and take, to be greedy and desire for oneself, just as Lucifer did. So for that reason, I can understand why the Lord has limited our vision.

I say to you, ask the Lord to open your eyes, to see what is truly going on around you, to see the needs of others, to notice when the evil one is active or when the Spirit of God is active. Ask the Lord for wisdom in these things. He will reveal the truth to you. Ask Him to let you see others as He sees them.

“Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

“Jesus said, ‘For this judgment I came into this world; that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.'”
John 9:39

Food for thought: May we see God in everything around us: the seasons – how they reflect the highs and lows of birth and death; the temperature – how it reflects hot and cold, our life with God or without; the wind – how the Holy Spirit moves among us; the plants and the trees – how their growth upward toward the sun shows all creation is drawn toward the Son who is Light.

Fun facts: Eyes are quite remarkable. In fact, doctors have yet to successfully transplant an eyeball. The optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain is too sensitive to reconstruct successfully.
Seeing is such a big part of life, that nearly half of your brain is required for visual perception.
If you are far-sighted (hyperopia), your eye is short. If you are near-sighted (myopia), your eye is long.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Foggy future