The spiritual writer, Fr Richard Rohr, says that one of the mistakes we make is that we look at God rather than look from God. In other words, we see ourselves and the world through our eyes and not through God’s eyes. We think we know how God sees but, when we begin to look from God’s point of view, we soon notice that the two are not the same.
Jesus invites us to reflect on the perspective through which we look at ourselves and the world around us. He invites us to read the signs of the times and open our eyes to what is happening in and around us. We are not being encouraged to look with our eyes alone but, rather, with the eyes of our hearts.
To “notice” what is going on within us and around might seem to be a bit odd: “Of course I notice!” we might be tempted to respond. The truth is that there is a lot we miss. We can be so focused (and distracted!) on what we need to get that we do not see the day-to-day signs of life in us and around us that are bathed in God’s presence and ever-creative love. We do not see God at work.
To really see with the eyes of the heart takes time and commitment. It means that daily we find a quiet space and place to become still and examine our experiences. We do not process them in our heads alone but, rather, in our hearts. We notice the events, people and places that impacted us, that made us feel inspired or the ones that drained us. We ask why they had an impact; we look at the lessons we have learnt through them,
and we give thanks for the good, the indifferent and the bad ones. We try and see what we have experienced through God’s eyes. What, we might ask, could God be saying through that which has impacted upon us. Finally, we talk to God about how we feel – not holding back – about the inspiring and draining experiences.
Find a space and time to look from God at your encounters and experiences in the last 24 hours. Notice what inspired you and what drained you. Then, talk to the Lord about what you discover.
