C2J Weekly: "Open Eyes, Part 1"

This is the third of a twelve-part series, "His Eyes." In this series, I'll be observing how our eyes seem to respond to the light and perhaps we may be able to get a better idea of how they should work. It is my hope that with His eyes, we will be able to see the path on which we run, thereby learning how to effectively run this race.
Throughout the book of Jonah, we read about a prophet that runs from his calling because he knows that the Lord is filled with compassion. In Jonah 3:10 it states that God saw their deeds; His eyes saw things for what they were. The Lord not only saw their wickedness, but also saw a way to save them from the wrath they justly deserved by sending them a messenger, that they might hear the truth, repent, and be saved. For those that truly have open eyes, they will not only see the wrong a person commits, but see that they are still His creation and be filled with that compassion that He has for us.
His love is extravagant. It abundantly washes over us, blessing us in so many ways we inevitably miss the majority of them. With open eyes, Jonah may have remembered that too, not just the sense of injustice he felt as he futilely waited for Nineveh's destruction. Jonah properly addressed God's compassion, but failed to return that compassion to Nineveh even though it was that compassion that had brought Jonah to that great city in the first place. That redeeming power of love had brought Jonah to Nineveh, yet he closed his eyes, making him unable to understand his Master's perfect plan for salvation.
To have open eyes is a blessing not just to the one that has them, but also to those that ever cross paths with them. For this sort of person, they naturally look to their Maker for a better solution than what conventional wisdom tells you. These eyes are rightfully ours; He will give them to His children if they truly seek after Him. So brace yourselves for a breathtaking sight and ask Him to open your eyes.So as a believer, it is not only in your power to see, but also to catch a glimpse of His sovereign plan. So don't use the blind eyes of your past, but take for yourselves the eyes He gave you, fashioned with His hands and purchased for you through His blood. It is my exhortation to you, that though the world may be filled with sin, that you will open your eyes, take in the wonder He has graced you with and allow that redeeming power of love to flow down from the Lord to you and on to others.
Thought: Never underestimate the redeeming power of love, not because your unbelief will limit it, but because when that power overwhelms your unbelief, you may not be able to understand that kind of love.