Give Me Your Eyes

"What if there's a bigger picture? What if I'm missing out? What if there's a greater purpose that I could be living right now? I don't wanna miss what matters, I wanna be reaching out! Show me the greater purpose so I can start living right now, outside my own little world." -Matthew West

So many times I zoom right past someone or something that I could have aided. Often times I don't even see that I had the opportunity because I wasn't thinking "outside of my own little world." Focused on ME, focused on what IIIIIII have to get done, on how people should be helping ME. (Please tell me I'm not the only one in the world who does this?) In Cove Kids, we're talking about a man who was "GOD-FOCUSED." And because He wasn't focusing on his "own little world," God was able to use Him in a mighty way.

Nehemiah was a leader with Initiative! What exactly does that word mean? Initiative is the ability to act and make decisions without the leading of other people. My definition of initiative would be: Immediately stepping out on faith to accomplish the mission at hand. This is exactly what Nehemiah did. He lived in Babylon and worked as the cupbearer to the Persian King. Having never visited Judah, but being from Jewish decent, Nehemiah sought reports concerning the city of Jerusalem. It had been 78 years since the Jews had returned to the city and the city walls we STILL in ruin. The city couldn't protect itself and the people were living in disgrace. When Nehemiah heard this, his heart was burdened for God's people. He immediately took initiative, risking His own life many times. Nehemiah demonstrated that when a leader with initiative is prompted by God to do something, they cannot stand still.

Nehemiah's eyes weren't focused inward, but upward. Where are your eyes focused? The prayer that I've been praying lately is one inspired by Brandon Heath: "Give me Your eyes for just one second. Give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I've been missing. Give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see." Nehemiah glimpsed Jerusalem through God's eyes initiating the restoration of the city. What has God burdened your heart for? What are you passionate about seeing come to restoration? I want to see God's Kingdom come. But not only do I want to see it, I want to partake in the coming of His majesty!

Lord, give us Your eyes so that we can take the initiative to step outside of our own little world, and into Your Kingdom. Let Your Kingdom come. On earth, just as it is in heaven. Amen!

Carole Loebs

3rd-5th Grade Coordinator
http://www.covechurch.org/