“Give Me Eyes to See”
Recently, I had a run in with an unpleasant person behind me in the drive-through. He was honking his horn, waving his arms, and yelling profanity as loudly as he could. Clearly, he was in a hurry and wanted everyone around him to know it. I had no idea who this person was, where they were from, or what kind of circumstances warranted this “tantrum” in the drive-through.
My first thought was, “Hey! Calm down! We all have places to get to!”
But just then I heard these lyrics on the radio:
“Give me Your eyes for just one second;
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity.”
For just a moment I needed to see this man – see past his anger – to put myself in his situation. Perhaps he was having a really bad day!
The Holy Spirit moved in me and gave me a brilliant idea: I was going to buy his meal! So I said a prayer for him as I pulled up to the window and paid for his meal, which cost me next to nothing so the sacrifice seemed small at the time.
Sometimes it is difficult to see people as God sees them – to see past their actions or even just to simply see their need. I really don’t think that man needed my money. But he sure could use some love and compassion.
“Except I am moved with compassion, how dwellest Thy Spirit in me?”
That sentiment works both ways. Jesus told us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Mark 12:31). The only way this is truly possible is for the Holy Spirit to move us to do so. And without compassion, the Holy Spirit can not move in us to love others.
Where do you need God to give you His eyes – to see when someone is hurting – to see past one’s angry words or rash actions – even when it may be difficult for you to love them – to be moved with compassion?
As I drove away from the drive-though that day, I didn’t look back to see the man or wait for any kind of “thank you”. I only prayed that God would move in him to change his heart through the little bit of kindness he was shown.
“O Savior of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.”
Heather Hanton
Ministries and Media Specialist
The Salvation Army USA Central Territory
Women’s Ministries Department
