Seeing...

I Samuel 16.7 (CEB) But the LORD said to Samuel, "Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven't selected him. God doesn't look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart."

I got my first pair of glasses in the 7th grade. They were these plastic gray frames complete with soft case complete with a clip for easier transport. I don’t recall what the reason was for me to get my eyes checked; none-the-less, I couldn’t see and needed to find glasses to help me see. Seeing is a valuable thing and we go to great lengths to help our eyeballs function at their best.

Sight is a huge theme in our Bible as well. Having sight or not fills several stories in our scriptures. For instance, in the scripture reference above, it is about the choosing of the next king. People, it seems, chose based on what can be seen on the outside while God takes a more invasive approach looking to motivations and what makes someone up.

Time and time again, we have been guided to look at the neighbors locally and globally with the eyes of Christ. How might we look at our neighbors as Jesus did across the table at the institution of the Lord’s Supper and love them even if some will deny him or betray him. Or how we might look at our city with the eyes of Christ and find ways to share the Good News of Jesus with one another.

This will be our ongoing invitation this year: to find ways to see with Christ eyes looking at ourselves individually and include our collective selves in how the church functions. How might we look anew to this city with fresh eyes to the heart of our City of La Porte and be Christ’s body.

Grace and peace,
​ Rev. Brian