Open My Eyes

Many occasions invite and press me to enjoy the pleasure of closing my eyes—fatigue, a full stomach, a time of relaxation, a comfortable chair, warm sunshine, darkness, singing birds, a gentle breeze, a rushing stream—really, the list is endless. I find that I like to close my eyes more and more when I’m off duty.

Honestly, I would like to close my eyes to many of the experiences in corrections work, sometimes more than others. If I could just close my eyes, maybe I could pretend situations were not happening—maybe the crisis would go away—maybe someone else would see and deal with the problem–maybe things would be different when I reopen them—maybe I wouldn’t have nightmares tonight—maybe I wouldn’t deal with the intrusive images at inopportune times— maybe–

God admonishes in Ephesians 5:15, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” Circumspectly is defined as, “Cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger.” We cannot walk circumspectly with our eyes closed. The pain of a fellow warrior won’t be seen, and we will not respond to circumstances in a way that honors and glorifies Christ. Psalm 119:18 says, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Wondrous is defined as “Admirable; marvelous; such as may excite surprise and astonishment; strange.” God can open your eyes. He has wondrous things to show you about yourself, eternity, marriage, family, children, corrections work…He has wondrous things to show you about who He is, His love, His power, His grace, His mercy, His provision, His protection, His strength, His longsuffering, His joy, His creation, His glory, His deliverance, His forgiveness, His compassion, His sacrifice, His peace…

God shows us helps and answers to those things we would want to close our eyes to, that we are tempted to close our eyes to, and that we do close our eyes to. We know where to look, “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.” (Deuteronomy 11:7) “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 26:7) It’s a pleasure to open our eyes and tell others what God has done.

This post was written by
Founder of Heirs of Restraint Ministries & Missouri Correctional Officer

1 Comment on "Open My Eyes"

  • barre.taylor@hotmail.com'
    Barre says

    I feel that my eyes are open, but my heart is closed. My mind is open, and my mouth is closed. I am to spread my faith to the corners of the earth, but I can’t talk about Christ to non-believers, like I do with believers. I have struggled with my emotion for a long time, I feel the pull of God, but it is just out of reach, a ledge half a hand over. My lack of emotion carries to work with me, I find myself not caring about a great deal, including my own safety. Maybe I do not know what my wife will think about a lost husband. I fear nothing, not pain or death, and I make grand of matters which are trivial. This job has changed me so much, I do not know who I am anymore. I can not find the path God wants me on. Your words are inspiring, as are many others I have read, but the inspiration lasts a heartbeat. Thank you for your words, even if they are a Band-Aid for a breath of time.

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