You are here
And so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
(Sha bop sha bop)
“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!” Matthew 6:22-23
There is something to seeing only people’s eyes because of this pandemic — something mysterious, intriguing, sensual, even captivating. Seeing only people’s eyes leaves the rest of the face to the imagination. But in some strange way, you might end up seeing people more deeply, because you focus on a person’s eyes more when eyes are all you see.
Eyes can say so much. Eyes can be cold, warm, angry, inviting, trusting, suspicious. Eyes can tell you so much about a person. They can make you feel welcome or they can send you away. Eyes can judge you or forgive you. Eyes can admire you, honor you, or belittle you. Eyes can be full of honesty or sarcasm. Eyes can say one thing while the mouth is saying something else.
Jesus said a good eye can fill you with light, but a bad eye will cloak you in darkness. And if someone is in darkness but thinks they have the light, that darkness is even worse, because they will not seek to be enlightened since they think they already are. It would be better to know you’re in the dark than to be in the dark and think you’re in the light. That is the worst state reserved for Pharisees and self-righteous Christians.
But the eyes the world needs to see the most right now are kind eyes. Kindness is in short supply right now. And kind eyes will stand out, even with a mask. Without even speaking, we can broadcast kindness to others through our eyes. Don’t look away; let your eyes seek people out and convey a much-needed message.
Coincidentally, our BlogTalkRadio guest tonight is an ophthalmologist. We’ll see what she has to say about eyes!
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.” Matthew 13:16
John Fischer The Catch 
One of the first Christian songs I ever heard was sung by Amy Grant – Father’s Eyes. It is still one of the songs and prayers of my heart.
“Eyes that find the good in things when good is not around –
Eyes that find the source of help, when help could not be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain. Knowing what you’re going through and feelin’ it the same.
Just like my Father’s Eyes….”
Nice. Thanks for remembering this song.
It seems music has marked the trail of my life as long as I can remember. Most especially the words. They grab at my heart deeply.
Two other songs that focus on the ‘eye’ theme are Forgiving Eyes by Michael Card, and the soul-searching Hollow Eyes by Petra. One an affirmation; the other an exhortation.