4-12-21<\/p>\n
Lately a lot of politicians begin their answers with the word, \u201cLook…\u201d or \u201cListen…\u201d appearing to say something clear and direct. It usually is the opposite; a deflection. Like \u201cC\u2019mon, man\u201d \u2013 a way to substitute for an answer.<\/p>\n
But we all do it, or similar things. We tell our children to \u201clook away\u201d from something harsh or rude, usually correctly. We might claim to \u201clook in the other direction\u201d when confronted with unpleasant facts, or decisions we want to avoid. Body-language experts watch our eyes, the way we look up or down, or glassy-eyed, to discern our actual intentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe eyes are the windows to the soul,\u201d Jesus paraphrased in Matthew 6, citing Proverbs 30:17.<\/p>\n
We draw too quick a conclusion, however. If we look away\u2026 refuse to acknowledge things\u2026 maybe, then, pretending things don\u2019t exist, we can fool ourselves. Perhaps fatally.<\/p>\n
Are we ostriches who hide their heads in the sand? If we look away do we become immune, and escape the consequences of that we avoid?<\/p>\n
Of course I am not talking about a household accident, or a lesson a child needs to learn, or wise advice when we can offer it, even if uncomfortable. I address those like me who perceive that we are living an extraordinary times \u2013 extraordinarily troubling and dangerous. In society, within families, in the culture, in education, in politics, in the church world\u2026 many of us are shocked and grieved and anxious about the trend of events.<\/p>\n
Argue back. Fight back. Lose friends, make allies. Pray. And, for many who have grown weary, sometimes the best (easiest?) (safest?) (holiest?) thing to do in the face of a tsunami of attacks is\u2026 to look away.<\/p>\n
Doesn\u2019t the Bible talk about a \u201cremnant\u201d? Should we gather our children as a mother hen gathers her chicks? Should we only fellowship with the saints?<\/p>\n
Those are answers, but sometimes the wrong answers. I will return to \u201clooking,\u201d and the eyes God has given us \u2013 spiritual sight as well as physical vision.<\/p>\n
Recently we discussed Easter, and how the miraculous Jesus looked<\/em> down from the cross and, I believe, looked into my eyes, and yours, and humankind\u2019s, into our souls. The crowds who greeted Him, then screamed for His death, scattered before Calvary \u2013 not caring to look<\/em>.<\/p>\n When Jesus came out from the tomb, defeating death, he immediately began looking<\/em>. For you and me. I wrote this week, in effect, He was saying \u201cHere I come, ready or not!\u201d He looked<\/em> for people to forgive in the weeks that followed, and invited witnesses to look<\/em> upon Him.<\/p>\n On Ascension Day, when He was seen<\/em> to rise to Heaven and be seated at the right hand of the Father (confirming His divinity) it was required that witnesses look upon that transformation.<\/p>\n We should not look away from some things. We cannot look away from all things. We must look at more things, good and bad, straight-on. They will happen anyway. So, continuing the metaphorical part of this, don\u2019t turn away from some challenges and problems. Look at them, understand them. Deal with them.<\/p>\n Go a step further, you and your eyes. Look FOR things. If we indeed live in parlous times, seek what is evil, what is harmful, what carries dangers. It is the first and best step to protect your and your family. And redeem the culture. And honor God.<\/p>\n LOOK! Don\u2019t \u201clook away.\u201d Seek and ye shall find\u2026 the courage, the strength, the answers. You will find Jesus, if you look<\/em> for Him.<\/p>\n Why do I think these details are important? I am afraid that we too often take Jesus for granted. Yes, God’s Son. Yes. rose from the dead. Yes, forgives our sins. But nobody can have a relationship with someone with looking that person in the face. Right?<\/p>\n A helpful hint. When things are strangely dim, or confusing no matter how hard you focus, or \u201clook\u201d hopeless; when things seem too dark; and maybe you don\u2019t even know where to look\u2026<\/p>\n Turn your eyes upon Jesus. He has been looking for you, and at you, all along. Meet His eyes.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n