Our eyes are such an important vessel to us. They allow us to explore the world and see all the beautiful sites around us. They allow us to see where we are going and take in the different views. They adjust to the brightness of the sun and the darkness of the night. People say they can determine a person’s mood based off their eyes whether there is joy, love, fear, or sorrow. Our eyes can tell a deeper story.
On the World Race, we walk a lot! We walk to find food, bus stops, train stations, parks, mountains, and any area we so desire to go. We are able to see so much of the cities by walking and see how unique they are in their own little way. We just have to pay attention to them. As we are walking, we pass many people going to their next destination as well. We pass parents and their children, grandparents, teens, and young adults. We pass people who all have a different story and different life.
We may not be able to grow a deep relation with everyone whom we pass, but we can always make eye contact and say hello. We can show that we truly do care. We just have to keep our eyes and hearts open for what God can do. It may just be a simple hello, but that simple hello can change a person’s heart. Every time one of us says hello to someone passing, there is always this huge smile that forms on their face. They were acknowledged, they were loved, they were honored. Maybe that was something they needed that day.
Being in a closed country also means we must be careful what we say and do. We have to pay attention to our postures while praying and what words we use while speaking. However, we are also called to not live in fear, but trust God to give us the right words and protection that we need.
“Pray with your eyes wide open.”
This is something we have come accustomed to as we walk the city streets, pray over our meals, or fellowship together. We keep our eyes open to see the world that God has placed before us. We keep our eyes open as God heals those we speak to. We keep our eyes open to talk to God as if He was standing face to face with us.
This is no different than bowing our heads, closing our eyes, and folding our hands. God is ALWAYS present. Now, we need to be more aware of the distractions that come our way, but God is still listening. God is still moving. God is still preparing the hearts of the people we are about to encounter. We just have to keep our eyes open to Him and allow Him to lead us.
One of the many things I am learning through this Race, is that God doesn’t care where we are, what posture we give, or what words we say. He just cares for that relationship we have in order to connect with Him. Can we speak to God as if He is standing there with us? Can He walk with us even if we don’t say a word? What’s it like to pray with our eyes wide open?
Prayer Request:
Please keep us all in your prayers these next coming days. We will be entering the largest unreached population in the world which is also the most closed off region too (see Jake’s Post for more detail (PW:Doulos)). Pray for Tibet with us. Pray that hearts will be open and that we can make a lasting impact on these people even in the short amount of time. Pray that God will be able to enter this region and change the atmosphere for good!
God Bless,
Laura Leigh Armstrong
