eyes can see & ears can hear

As I once again consider Thanksgiving this week, more ideas come to mind that illuminate ways to put gratefulness and thanksgiving at the forefront of my mind. I already explained (last week’s article) that science tells us that thankful people are happier, and I’m always up for more happiness. How about you? Here are some thoughts rolling around in my head.

Choose to keep your eyes open.

I have cataracts. Guess that means I’m old, but that’s okay. I would never know that my eyes are progressively shrouded by a film that robs me of full eyesight. But my eye doctor uses specialized tools to investigate the orbs at the front of my head. Through those devices, he sees what eludes me.

Life has a way of clouding our eyes to its wonder and beauty. We become too busy surviving to, as they say, stop and smell the roses. Our existence is slowly, imperceptibly reduced to Outlook.

We also spend several hours each day reading all the critical matters appearing on a 3 X 4 screen. When a person loses their smartphone, it becomes immediately evident that life revolves around the handheld device. I enjoy observing people in restaurants. So often, there is little discussion taking place across the tables. Everyone is staring at a screen. It would be funny if it were not true. I sometimes like to conjecture what aliens would think if they witnessed this scene. The device that illuminates our lives comes to own us. You cannot enjoy your surroundings when you spend all your time in a trance. It is comical that people sometimes feel compelled to tell their “Friends,” “Hey, I want you all to know that I am taking a Facebook sabbatical.”  In other words, it would seem helpful to me to try and reconnect with reality.

Jesus urged us to “consider the lilies of the field.” They have no schedule or to-do list, yet they are constant recipients of God’s goodwill. He further enjoins us to observe – see – ravens, sparrows, and wildflowers. In so doing, we make a faith connection with the Creator that allows us not to worry so much. Earlier, the Teacher explained that God watches over sparrows. Let that sink in. A very busy God has time and inclination to care for the millions of sparrows in the world. The Master then reminds us that we are more valuable to God than sparrows. Perhaps we should “see” something so familiar as a sparrow and, in so doing, receive a comforting message from its Creator.

Has life slowly, and without realization, grown cataracts on your eyes so much that you are missing the wonders all around you and, therefore, fogging your closeness to God and others? Choose to keep your eyes open, and you will have ample reason for thanksgiving.

Choose to keep your ears open.

I spend many hours sitting on my deck during warm weather. From this vantage point, there is not only much to observe but to hear. Frequently, the trees in my and my neighbor’s yard rustle and shake. At first, I am inclined to think the wind must be increasing. Perhaps a weather front is coming through our area. But this sound is different. I observe and see my friend, Rocky the Squirrel, jumping from limb to limb across five or six trees. It is a hilarious sight and sound. This furry little creature regularly defies gravity.

Sometimes I’ve been enjoying my comfy chair on the deck only to hear something close behind me. I turn, and there’s Rocky, sitting atop my railing. He looks at me like Bugs Bunny, saying,  Ehhhhh, what’s up, Doc.” 

Sometimes all we hear is white noise. Our minds become so occupied that we suffer hearing loss to the mysteries of God surrounding us. White noise is acceptable if you are using it to sleep. But we don’t need it when we are awake.

In Job 37:14, God lectures the struggling man who has experienced much suffering. He tells Job to listen and consider God’s wonders. It is most interesting that when God decides to address Job and his miserable friends about the problem of pain, he launches into a section of His resume noting His achievements.  In short, He states, “Created, control, and sustain all that exists.” It is the longest such speech found in Scripture. He never directly addresses the subject of suffering. Perhaps it is not there that answers are found.

So, Job and his friends have been contemplating the problem of pain and suffering, looking for answers. But instead of directly addressing the subject, the Almighty recites dozens of creative and uber-powerful wonders of creation, right back to the beginning of time. And He does so in no uncertain terms. I love God’s initial reply to Job after his long recitations extolling the sufferer’s character and lamenting his lot.

 “Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

(Job 38:3 NIV)

It’s like God says, “Listen up, you who question the conundrums of the human condition! I will give you the answer. It’s everywhere you look and listen, from the smallest creature to the magnificent whale. Lighting in the sky and the rising sun reveal the mystery. The snow lights the path, and even ostriches deliver a message. There are things in life beyond your understanding. But your peace will come from observing and listening to everything around you, then giving credit to Whom credit is due. I am God, and there is no other. I care for and love you.”

I love God’s final question for Job.

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
 Let him who accuses God answer him!”

(Job 40:2 NIV)

Then comes Job’s confession.

“I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

(Job 42:2-3 NIV)

There is indeed a plethora of things we will not understand in life, but if we open our eyes to see and listen with our ears, we will behold clues to some of life’s most perplexing questions. Recognize your Creator in what you see and hear, then give Him thanks. Jesus frequently put it like this.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:9 NIV)

Hasidic Jews exercise a practice called “hallowing,” To hallow is to identify “holy sparks” found in creation. God can be found in the smallest and most mundane life experiences. Nealy, everything is hallowed or holy since it is the work of God. The practice becomes a lifestyle, and ultimately the maven discovers the marvel of God in everything.

Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to “give thanks” at least forty-eight times. (as translated in the NIV) Between now and through Thanksgiving Day, can you find forty-eight ways and times to thank God? Open your eyes and ears, and you will not find it difficult. Holy Sparks are part of your existence even as you read.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard states that the most critical and sometimes elusive aspect of life is “to remember God.” She explains that historically entire nations abandoned God. For example, at various times in Jewish History, the country disregarded God – not symbolically but in reality. For example, the young reformer King Josiah decided to have the temple restored, and in the process, the Law of Moses was inadvertently discovered. They stumbled upon the most crucial document in their history because they were trying to renew a system of worship that had been lost. Meanwhile, the entire nation had veered off course and was worshipping idols for generations. Our search for God in daily life will enable us to stumble upon splendor long forgotten or never known to us in the first place. Watch and listen carefully. Beautiful evidence of God surrounds you.

Give thanks!

Live Inspired!

Don Mark