Have you ever walked into church and been so distracted that you wondered why you even showed up? Or, maybe, you knew why you came, but by the time the worship music began you had lost focus? I sure have. The song Open Our Eyes (from the Your Love Remains album) was written as a prayer. It’s asking the Lord to “open our eyes to see Jesus” and combat these kinds of distractions.
While I’m at church, I wear a lot of different hats. Between being a pastor, a parent, a music director, and a friend, I can get distracted. By the time I open my mouth to sing, I can be more focused on what’s happening around me than what God wants to have happen within me. I can be caught off guard by a comment I wasn’t prepared for, distracted by music equipment, or preoccupied with my children. All the while, the songs are blowing right past me.
Open Our Eyes is a prayer of petition. It’s asking the Lord to “open our eyes so we can see Jesus.” It is a prayer that acknowledges our Sovereign Lord drawing us to church to begin with, and a confession that we need the Holy Spirit’s help to enter into a worshipful response.
We come together each week (at church) as a family. To be encouraged in the Lord, instructed and equipped by the Word, and to rightly give praise to Him. However, we must ask God to give us a responsive heart to Him. “Now we enter Your gates. In holy awe and wonder. Here to bring you thanks God of mercy and thunder. Open our eyes to see Jesus.”
The Bible also encourages us in this, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” — Ephesians 1:16-18.
Christian, the next time you are preparing for weekend worship and are flooded with distractions, know you are not alone. BUT, be encouraged with the simple heart of prayer — “we want to see You Jesus.” The Lord is pleased with us by His grace and mercy. But, in the midst of so many distractions, He is ready to draw our attention to His wonder, glory, grace, and beauty.
This week, when you come for worship, ask the Lord to open your eyes to see Him. He will. And you will be blessed.
What things commonly distract you during your times of corporate worship?
-What can you do to prepare for these distractions?
-Why is opening our eyes to see Jesus so important?
-Keeping my eyes open,
Steele
Posted in A Word from the Pastor