Pirate is a horse with only one eye. Yet, his trust towards
his rider baffles me. Embracing adventures across the fields and woods, Pirate
walks, trots, and canters with energy and enthusiasm. He is unafraid of the
unseen but presses on with a seeming joy and carefreeness that often many other
horses don’t exhibit. Oh, if only he knew what he teaches me…
I used to think that by age 23, I would have everything
figured out. There is nothing more false than that childhood fantasy! In fact,
it seems that my questions have only increased, my insecurities have only become
more revealed, my lack of adequacy only more present, and my unknown future has
turned into an understatement. But if I focus on what I do not know, I can only
find discouragement and frustration. If I focus on dreams and on imagination, I
will only find insignificance.
No, I cannot focus on these things I lack, the prayers answered with “wait”
or “no,” the thorns never removed, or even the dreams that may or may not come to pass,
and the future I think I desire. These thoughts only become little gods that
displace my Sovereign Lord from His rule in my life and His work through me. I
can only focus on the gifts that He has given me today, knowing that these
little steps are mine to take for His Kingdom. “Many are the plans in the mind
of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).
You see, you and I have it all wrong. It’s so easy to believe that this
life is about us, about our castles in sands, about our dreams and goals coming
to pass, about seeing fruits to our labor, and about our little worlds. Yes,
God does choose to use our work –but He could still accomplish His plan without
us. All He needs to do is speak, and that which He commanded comes to pass. “So shall My
word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it
shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which
I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Rather, what He desires most is for me to know Him more,
for me to want Him more, and for me to glorify Him more through this growing
relationship with Him. It’s not about rules and laws followed or the number of other
souls I reach but about my heart truly loving Him. “For You will not delight in
sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God,
You will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17). Part of wanting Christ more, loving Him
more, and glorifying Him more is learning to trust Him more and more, day by
day –even in the dark, in the questions, in the pain, in the battles, in the
struggles, in the failures, in the long hours of work. Just like Pirate, I need
to embrace God’s adventures for me across the fields and woods of life, as He
opens and closes the doors, one at a time, or a thousand all at once. In
His strength and the confidence He gives me, I can go any speed He needs me to
through the various seasons of my journey here –with energy and enthusiasm
straight from His heart. I can be unafraid of the unseen and press on with true,
secure joy and carefreeness…and watch Him use me to teach others about His
truths.
“Eyes On You” –Shane & Shane
I don't know which way to go
But my eyes are on You
I don't know which way to turn
But my ears are to the ground
You say that I can hear Your voice
So I am listening
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
I still don't know which way to go
But my eyes are on You
I still don't know which way to turn
But my ears are to the ground
As long as You are lifted up
I don't have to understand
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
The battle is the Lord's
So I'll walk towards You in the dark
Cause I know that in the end we win
So I'm all in
Lead me I'm Yours
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
But my eyes are on You
I don't know which way to turn
But my ears are to the ground
You say that I can hear Your voice
So I am listening
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
I still don't know which way to go
But my eyes are on You
I still don't know which way to turn
But my ears are to the ground
As long as You are lifted up
I don't have to understand
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
The battle is the Lord's
So I'll walk towards You in the dark
Cause I know that in the end we win
So I'm all in
Lead me I'm Yours
All I know is that I believe
It's not with my eyes that I can see
I'm a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
There's a vision now in another eye
You've given sight to a man inside;
Of a blind man fighting the world
Swinging back at me
