But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7
Jesus, many of us have 20/20—even 20/15 vision. But if we only observe the “outward appearance” of people and things, from our perspective, we’re still functionally blind.
Help us see people with Gospel-eyes. The cataracts on our fallen heart hide much of the image of God that exists in every person we meet. Worse, the astigmatism of sin leads us to see people primarily in terms of what they can do for us, or how they fail us. Heal our blindness, Jesus. Let us see what you see in everybody.
Help us see creation with Gospel-eyes. Jesus, don’t let us miss God’s glory revealed in oceans and mountains, sunrises and sunsets, flora and fauna. Show us your hand and heart everywhere. Free us to live as worshipful stewards of creation, and less as selfish consumers or indifferent ingrates.
Help us see pain and suffering with Gospel-eyes. When we only see the crucibles and crises of life through the lens of our selfishness, our prayers focus more on getting out of discomfort, and less on becoming like you.
Worse, we live callous to the pain of others. Worse-er, we lose our awe of your sufferings for us. Jesus, open the eyes of our hearts to see more of you; for the better we see you, the more we will see everything else as you intend. So very Amen we pray, in your great and grace-full name.