Eyes Half Open
By Eric Abney
You ever felt like you are in a painting and you know something cool is happening in the world around you. You know this because you can see the painter reach his brush forward and it touches and strokes the canvas, but you can’t see what is painted because you are on the canvas too. You can’t seem to look to the left or right just enough to see what is in your painting, but you want to believe that beauty is right beside you.
Sometimes I feel like my life is like this. It’s like the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” It’s almost like other people can look at my life and they can see really wonderful and beautiful things, but I’m in the middle of my life and I can’t see it like others can.
Often perfect opportunities are missed because I can’t see it or maybe it doesn’t look like I thought it might. It’s like I’m living with my eyes half open. Do you ever feel this way? Has someone complemented you and you’ve thought, “I just don’t see it”? That is the kind of thing I’m talking about.
Paul told the church in the city of Ephesus that there were “good works that God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Good is actually the greek word “agathos” which means; good, excellent, and distinguished. Works is the greek word “ergon” meaning; that which one undertakes to do. Finally walk is the greek word “peripateo” it means; progress or to make due use of opportunities. The hebrew translation means; to live.
So let’s get this right. God Himself has prepared something distinguishing for us to do. Chances are it is what our hands find to do, which means everyday we will come upon something that is natural for us to be doing. It is likely, that is what God wants us doing. Lastly, we are suppose to live this way making the most of every opportunity that comes our way, questioning with anticipation, “Is this something God has put in front of me, for me? Is this something He wants me to say yes to?” It might be. The Hebrews believed by definition that this was “living”. I want to live. I want to see life with eyes wide open.
I believe we are a part of a big picture that the Master God is painting. The picture is not about us, it is about Him, but we do get to play a part in the painting. A big part, because He desires to live hand in hand with us His children.
Know that your world that you live in is great, and if it is not, invite God to make it great. Maybe you have tried to make the painting about you long enough. Let it be about Him and know that when He paints a story it is always an exciting one.
Be Challenged and Live Adventurously,
-Eric
Live life in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. Phillipians 1:27-30 The Message
Very interesting thought Tracy. I don’t think that many people think about what it may be like to suffer for Christ. Thanks for your comment.
At last! Someone who undertsndas! Thanks for posting!
The beauty on the canvas is revealed because it is still…. as the Artist has the Brush. With each stroke and layer of Color the Artist is in complete control of the Revelation of an new Creation
Very poetic JRMo. Thank you for your comment.
Good stuff!
Thanks Colleen.
-Eric