Eyes Open

This is a bit scary to write after a couple weeks ago writing about Mary’s faith and Mary’s acceptance of what had been given her, to be honest.  I feel like God might be trying to tell me something.  But who knows.  I might be off the hook.  He might be telling YOU something!  Ha!

So, it’s almost New Years.  A time when people vow to lose weight, or to make more money, or to spend more time doing the thing they’ve always wanted to do, but life has gotten in the way.  And then two minutes, or days, or weeks, or sometimes even months later, they go back to living how they had been before, and forget those new resolutions.   And, to be honest, I think that’s what happens when we try to do things in our own strength.  Our desires to change are good desires, but when we try to do it in our own strength – we fail.

And I’m not saying not to have those resolutions…especially if those resolutions are something you’re passionate about.  If you’re talking with God on a regular basis, and you have passions buried deep within your heart, those passions are probably from Him.  So, on Monday night, on New Year’s Eve this year, search your heart for your passions.  Ask God which one He wants to play with this year, and then give it to Him.

AND THEN, hold on for the ride of your life.  He’ll ask you to do something about it, probably.  And it might be something small, like writing a blog, or it might be something huge, like going to Africa.  But have the courage to obey.  Because obeying God always takes courage.  Obey, do as He asks.  Get out of your seat and go do whatever He asks.  And then do the same for the next step, and the next.

But know, our God is a God of quiet whispers.  He doesn’t usually write emails about what’s next.  I’ve only heard Him writing in neon on a wall once (well, maybe not in NEON).  I’ve found, in my life, that usually He works through my heart.  I’ll have a gentle (or not so gentle) welling within me of what’s next.  I don’t hear an audible voice.  I don’t get some prophetic word.  I don’t hear a vision.  If I’m lucky, I know that I know that I know that this next step is next. That’s happened maybe five times in my life.  Usually it’s more of a, “Well, this makes sense, and God’s not shutting this door, and it’s something I’m pretty passionate about, so, here goes!”

So, pursue those passions.  Get up out of your safe comfy chair and start pursuing them.  If they’re in your heart, I don’t care how old you are, pursue them.  God’ll give you a way.

There is a song by NeedToBreathe that I love and is incredibly inspiring to me.  Go download it, and as you listen to it, read these lyrics:

“Keep Your Eyes Open”

If you could soldier on
Headstrong into the storm
I’ll be here waiting on the other side
Don’t look back
The road is long
The first days of the war are gone
Take back your former throne and turn the tide

Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You’ll never make it to the great unknown till you
Keep your eyes open, my love
So tell me you’re strong, tell me you see
I need to hear it, can you promise me to
Keep your eyes open, my love

Just past the circumstance
The first light, a second chance
No child could ever dance the way you do, oh
Tear down the prison walls
Don’t start the curtain call
Your chains will never fall until you do

Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You’ll never make it to the great unknown till you
Keep your eyes open, my love
So show me your fire, show me your heart
You know I’ll never let you fall apart if you
Keep your eyes open, my love

Open up
Open up
Open up your eyes
The weight is unbroken
Open up
Open up
Open up your eyes
Keep your eyes open

Don’t let the night become the day
Don’t take the darkness to the grave
I know pain is just a place
The will has been broken
Don’t let the fear become the hate
Don’t take the sadness to the grave
I know the fight is on the way
When the sides have been chosen

Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You’ll never make it to the great unknown
Open up your eyes
Keep your eyes open
So tell me you’re strong, tell me you see
I need to hear it, can you promise me to
Keep your eyes open, my love
So show me your fire, show me your heart
You know I’ll never let you fall apart if you
Keep your eyes open, my love

Keep your eyes (Keep your eyes open)