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Open My Eyes

   

           When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
                         “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” 
               Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings 6:15-17)
                Today’s chapter of Hearing God has to do with whether or not God speaks to us today. Like the past three-and-a-half years, this spring is about “going where I do not know,” and I suppose it’s only natural that the “do not know” part should raise energy levels and call for attention. The Syrian army besieging the city certainly seemed like enough reason for Elisha’s servant to take notice. 
           I wish I could say that I’m like Elisha. I try to say, “It’s OK, God will take care of it,” but I feel more like the servant. “What shall we do?”
                Did Elisha see with spiritual eyes all the time? Had he been worried and asked God, and had God said the same thing to him a half-hour earlier? I don’t know, but I find myself wishing I saw with spiritual eyes. Some people might object that seeing with spiritual eyes means that we have no faith (Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)) but in this case, I think it takes faith to see. 
                That was my thinking as I read this morning. This afternoon, one of my many errands took me somewhere – I’m reluctant to say where in case I’m wrong – but it was like puzzle pieces were fitting. Am I seeing spiritually? I don’t know, but if I am, it means that I have before. The problem of seeing spiritually may have more to do with our not realizing what we’re doing, than with our not doing it. 
               Somewhere, I’ve read that we tend to dismiss the supernatural as merely natural because it’s familiar. It sounds like something I would do. I’ve also read that people who have synesthesia (they see sound or hear scents) may not realize that everyone doesn’t see and hear the same things they do. Whether I don’t see spiritually, or don’t realize that I’m seeing spiritually, my prayer today is, “Open my eyes, Lord, so that I may see!”

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