Wiping the Sleep from my Eyes

Scripture

Jesus also used some sayings as he spoke to the people. He said: …. You can see the speck in your friend's eye. But you don't notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don't see the log in your own eye? You show-offs! First, get the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye. (Luke 6:39,41-42 CEVUK)

“Wiping the sleep from my eyes”

 The other morning as I was reflecting on this saying of Jesus, I was wiping “the sleep” from my eyes as my mother called it. The accumulated grit from the day before had been wonderfully flushed to the edges of my eyes; hardly noticeable, but better removed.

I imagined Jesus doing the same thing on an early morning and translating it into a helpful comment about life. Even the small grit can impede our vision. As we experience life at high speed we can accumulate grit in our vision that damages our perspective on the true human value of another.

The further removed I am from a person and the further removed I am from the eyes and ears of Jesus the easier it is for me to diminish you and your struggles. Judgment is easier than understanding, disdain is easier than compassion. The “sleep” in our eyes needs removing for the good of us all.

 A Prayer for Today

Loving God, thank you for a simple action like cleaning my eyes that reminds me of your kindness toward me – and your desire that I express the same to those who cross my path. In this world where vicious criticism is the order of the day let my eyes be clean to see what really is going on, on all sides of issues...….for Jesus’ sake