|
This
is good that the theme of our DOP program this year is "Seeing
with new eyes". It is like continuation of the theme
of the Leadership Conference.
God
wants all His children to see with new eyes, first of all Him
as our Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ and God Holy Spirit,
our Counsellor and see like He sees our identity, family life
and ministry.
To
have open eyes it isn't enough in my opinion, but to have them
open in a proper way. Sometimes it is necessary to have them
open by Jesus not only once but second time. In Mark's Gospel
8:22-25 we can read the story about man who was blind. Jesus
"took the blind man by the hand and let him out of the
village. After spitting on the man's eyes, Jesus placed his
hands on him and asked him, 'Can you see anything?' The man
looked up and said, 'Yes, I can see people, but they look like
trees walking about.' Jesus again placed his hands on the man's
eyes. This time the man looked intently, his eyesight returned,
and he saw everything clearly."
To
see with new eyes is important because the world seems moved
away from God as never before and it sank in darkness and nothingness
of its own egoistic aims, desires and greed. These dangers do
not avoid Christians that means people who gave their life to
Jesus. That is why we need to look at the surrounding reality,
including Christianity with new eyes, the eyes of our Lord Jesus
Christ Himself.
Only He is the real light, which came to this world and enlightens
the life of every man. "He was the source of life, and
this life brought light to mankind. The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has never put it out" (John
1:4-5). Only Jesus is the source of life and light causing
that we see like Him.
How
often overworked, burdened by ministry, experiencing various
problems and hard situations we lose freshness and sensitivity
of God's perception of reality. Then we concentrate on obstacles,
reverses and we sink like Peter. I think that each of us has
more or less experience in this aspect. And God wants and expects
that we enjoy each day and give thanks for tiny daily experiences
with our hearts filled with gratitude.
My
sister started to see with her spiritual eyes two years ago
at the age of 52. The Bible was incomprehensible to her for
many years although she was reading it regularly and one day
it became the book speaking about her and to her personally.
Then she admired the work of God's creation. Nature started
to speak to her about the greatness of God. She told me she
felt as if somebody opened her eyes. She started to enjoy life
as a small child.
Yes,
that's true that each day contains worthy moments with full
enjoyment. Let us look around carefully and we will see that
"his constant love fills the earth" (Ps 33:5).
Let us see how children jump and run or joyfully play with the
coloured, autumn leaves. Let us taste with pleasure a cup of
coffee that we drink in a nice company, listening to the music
of a known composer. Let us look at the puppies playing, at
kittens chasing a ball of wool. Let us bend with amazement over
a baby. Let us notice the beauty of a sky sparkled with stars
at night or the golden glory of sunset.
God's
deeds can be seen everywhere around us, not only in plants and
animals but also in people. Maybe it is worth stopping here
for a while to see with new eyes what Lord has done and what
He is still doing, what He has done through us and what He intends
to do.
Dear
sisters we are God's workers. We are in the ministry to help
others in fulfilling various needs, to solve problems, to strengthen
the weak ones, to comfort the sad ones, to carry hope... There
are people who suffer: victims of natural disasters, victims
of terrorist attacks, children-victims of violence in the family,
trafficked women and children, children of the streets, children
and adults affected by nuclear catastrophe in Chernobyl... the
list could be longer.
To see in new way and to be sensitive for God's calling this
is the prayer of many of us. Maybe it would be good to make
the words of prayer of Francis d'Assisi our prayer.
Lord,
make me the tool of peace.
Let me carry love where there is hatred
Let me carry forgiveness where there is pain
Let me carry faith where there is doubt
Let me carry hope where there is tragedy
Let me carry light where there is darkness
Let me carry joy where there is sadness.
Also
the words from the Gospel of Mathew 25:34-36 sounds meaningfully.
Jesus clearly said what He expects from us. He wants us to feed
hungry people, give water to those who are thirsty, clothe the
naked ones, visit those who are sick and those who are in prison.
Jesus clearly stressed that "I tell you, whenever you
did this for one of the least important of these brothers of
mine, you did it for me" (v. 40). I believe in the
truth included in this statement.
It is important to remember also that even if "I gave
my body as an offering to be burned" but I lacked love
in what I do, it would be meaningless. That is why I treat the
words of Jesus Christ as an invitation to love those who want
to be loved. To serve others but only when we are motivated
by love, because only love makes us ready to see in a new way.
You should love to see.
So, I wish you and myself that love for God and people will
help us see in new way.
Ewa
Gutkowska, EBWU President
back to top
Table of Contents
|
