The eyes have it.

I went to see the eye doctor this weekend.  Eyes are fascinating organs.  The clinic did all the whiz-bang scans of my eyes and, once I was in the examination room, I was able to see a huge image of my eyes on their big computer monitor.  It is too bad the examination and chat with the doctor is only a few minutes long.  I had a zillion questions about what I was seeing.

With the power of scans and magnification, the doctor was able to show me the small floatie I have in my right eye.  I saw the laser welding of my retina from two years ago.  We tested (when I say “we,” it is only “we” in the sense that I was in the room - the doc did all the work) for field of vision, pressure, macular degeneration, and a bunch of stuff beyond my scope of knowledge.  

I would love to look through one of those microscope/eye probe/brain-viewer instruments the optometrist uses.  You know the one where you look at her ear, then floor, then ceiling, then corner, then to your left, your right, etc. Even though we look at each other’s eyes all the time, we only see a tiny bit of the totality of the eye.  What can she see in 3D that just isn’t captured on a flat computer monitor?

It was Shakespeare who wrote, “The eyes are the window to your soul.”  Indeed, beyond the variety of technical data that is gathered in a thorough exam, much can be learnt about a person’s state of mind by observing their eyes.  Eyes light up in recognition, dance in delight, flood with tears, and can stab the heart.  Eyes cause a person to melt in admiration or to freeze with fear.  A glance can invite our attention or dismiss us from a room.  Even when we do our best to hide our emotions, our eyes can reveal the true condition of our hearts and minds.

Yes, “the eyes have it.”

Even though God is immaterial in His essence (apart from the person of Jesus who is fully God, fully human, the second member of the Trinity now in physical form . . . I can’t explain it adequately . . .), He is described as engaging with His creation using eyes.  For example:

Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt (Exo. 3:7 ESV)

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. (Psa. 14:2 ESV)

The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.  (Psa. 37:13 ESV)

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Prov. 15:3 ESV)

 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.  (2 Chron. 16:9 ESV)

The phrase “the eyes of the LORD” is used frequently as a reminder that nothing is hidden from the presence and knowledge of God.  He is aware of all that happens in His creation.  This is both comforting and terrifying.

When life is hard, what a great comfort to know the eyes of Almighty God are upon us.  As the psalmist said, “He knows our frame, He remembers we are dust” (Psa. 103).  This is especially comforting when the cause of our angst is beyond our control.

The opposite is also true:  we cannot hide when we are disloyal to our Creator.  We share in David’s anguish, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,” (Psa. 51:4 ESV).  

Indeed, the Eyes have it all.

These divine Eyes are a window into His nature.  We can see a heart which beats with compassion toward all He has created.  We see His comfort and care as well as His holiness, righteousness, and justice.  He sees, He knows, He cares, and He is engaged.  These are Eyes of loving kindness, slow to anger, quick to forgive.  They are Eyes that see my delight and my distress.  These are the Eyes of grace and mercy.  

I am thankful they see me!