Today’s Daily Bread ~ With New Eyes

Acts 9:17-18 – So Ananias went and found Saul.  He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight.  Then he got up and was baptized.

I was a junior at Highlands Ranch High School in 1990.  That December, the movie “Home Alone” hit theaters.  I remember seeing it with some friends, and laughing so hard my stomach hurt.  Afterwards, we went to Perkins for French fries and milk shakes, and relived it, repeating the lines and giggling uncontrollably.

I recently watched it with my children, through a completely different pair of eyes.

It was still funny, but with 20 years under my belt, including a marriage, children, and a home of my own, I saw it differently.

As a mother, I found myself imagining the panic brought on by a missing child.  As a home-owner, I felt myself calculating the damage the burglars (and Kevin) did to the house. The movie itself hasn’t changed a bit; I have.   I approached it from an entirely different perspective.

When Paul (at that time called “Saul,”) set out on the road to Damascus, he was a Pharisee, trained under Gamaliel, the finest teacher of his time.  Paul knew the Scriptures, and sincerely believed that the Christian faith (at that time called “the Way,”) was a dangerous threat to Judaism.  Acts 9:1-2 says, “Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath.  He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers, so he went to the high priest.  He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there.  He wanted to bring them – both men and women –back to Jerusalem in chains.”

And then something happened that would forever change the pious religious leader.  Acts 9:3-4 – As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him!  He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul!  Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

It was Jesus Himself.  And life would never be the same.  He started that journey as a renowned and respected Jewish leader named Saul.  He reached Damascus with a new name, a new heart, and a new mission.  Paul would go on to revolutionize the world in a way that would turn it upside down.  No person, aside from Christ, has shaped the history of Christianity like the Apostle Paul.

When Ananias prayed over Saul, something like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw the world differently.  As we turn our lives over to Jesus, and seek to walk in obedience, He peels the scales from our eyes, as well.

Christ wants us to see the world from His perspective; a heavenly perspective. 

Don’t follow the crowd, He says. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.  But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 6:13-14).” 

Don’t worry about the necessities.  “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern (Matthew 6:31-33).”

Live in the moment I’ve given you; enjoy the light of my Presence, and don’t worry about tomorrow.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you.  The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them to see whether they follow my instructions (Exodus 16:4).”

Remember that your enemies are my children too, and I have placed them in your path so you might witness to them.  “But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies.  Do good to those who hate you.  Pray for the happiness of those who curse you.  Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 27-28).”

Remember that the trials and troubles you endure are temporary.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

Do not be afraid; be encouraged, for you are never alone.  “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20b).”

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much.  Please draw us closer to You.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Fill our hearts, and give us the desire to obey You.   Touch our eyes that we might see the world from a heavenly perspective.  Help us to remember that this life is temporary, trials don’t last, and You are returning.  Remind us of our inheritance Lord, and the life to come.  Strengthen us and fill us with courage, so that we might go and make disciples of all nations.  Give us hearts to love the lost, and fill us with Your light so we might show them the way to You.  We thank You for Your precious Son who died for us; we ask these things in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.