I recently found myself in worship singing, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord / Open the eyes of my heart / I want to see You, / I want to see You.”
And then I ducked.
I ducked because I suddenly remembered that God had warned Moses that if Moses actually saw God, he would instantly die. Instead, God offered to cover Moses’ eyes while he passed by, and then, once he passed by Moses, to let Moses see his “backside.”
Since I didn’t want to die that instant—I had a playoff game to watch after church—I stopped singing. But I didn’t want others to think I didn’t love God, so I started singing again, but quietly, with a revised text:
“Cover the eyes of my heart, Lord / Cover the eyes of my heart / I want to see your backside / I want to see your backside.”
This version failed to inspire me for some reason, …
[To read the rest, go to Christianity Today.]
Shane Hayes says:
Mark, The ironic progression of your thoughts at church reflected many of my own wayward tendencies. Worship song verses tend to be so often repeated that I find myself praying they’ll end rather than being uplifted. But I liked the Christ-preaching-through-the-pastor insight and the partaking-of-Christ-in-Communion insight (“Jesus wants to… become a part of me” — a strange elusive thought). Yes, the homeless beggar is the hardest place to see him, especially when he’s able bodied and probably on welfare. The crippled beggar on the streets of Calcutta with no safety net is easier to see Christ in, but we must fight the tendency to judge the local poor too harshly. When I hand them a dollar and they demand two or three, that doesn’t help. My way out — perhaps reprehensible — it to give to World Vision and Smile Train as my principal Matthew 25 response. I’ve written a short piece entitled “Profile of Christ: His Life in 900 Words.” I wonder if you’d give me a one-sentence reaction to it. May I send it, e- or snail mail?
Shane
markgalli says:
Shane, Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Of course, to see Jesus in the face of the begger is one thing; what to do is another. What I don’t think I should do is turn my face away. Even if I don’t think it prudent to give cash on the spot, the man certainly deserves some human contact, eye contact, and maybe a little conversation. Easier said than done, of course.
I’d be happy to take a look at your piece and give a reaction. mgalli@gallinet.net
–Mark
Akou says:
hey brother, this was a great read! i felt challenged and convicted in many of the things that you said about the current church. I definitely agree that our church going culture has a certain emphasis established. I am desiring to plunge deeper into some of the ideas that you’ve introduced, a great reminder!
this is one of my favorite praise songs, however, and i just wanted to offer what goes on in my mind when I sing it. I had thought the song was originally written with Isaiah 6 in mind (this is just an assumption). The “open the eyes” referring Is6:10, the “high and lifted up” in reference to Is6:1, and the “holy holy holy” cf. Is6:3. i had always prayed this song with the petition that i may not be like the Blind, rather like Isaiah in the narrative, who was unable to cleanse himself before this holy God, afterall he didn’t know that he was a “man of unclean lips” (Is6:5) until he saw the holy holy holy God seated on his throne high and lifted up. maybe this is a stretch but i did see some consistency. Isaiah 6, after all, is a hard enough chapter to exegete, let alone, write a song about it…
thanks man! and God bless!
markgalli says:
Akou, I do recognize that there are various ways to understand what it means to “seek God’s face” or to seek his glory. The column was not a full-orbed theology, but I was just trying to make one point. I have no doubt that many have purer motives than I often do! I appreciate your perspective! –Mark
Karin says:
I had some similar insight during another chorus and these thoughts came to me when I got home. Your post brought this to mind. It is good to think why we sing what we sing!
SEEING
“We want to see Jesus,”
Was their hearts deepest cry.
They frankly hadn’t noticed
And I kept wondering why.
I see Him in the beauty
Of each different time of year,
I see Him in creation,
And those I love; hold dear.
I hear Him in a faithful man
Who speaks love to his wife;
I see Him as a nurse’s touch
Strokes one who’s leaving life.
I see Him in one deep depressed
Who is rejoicing now in song!
I see Him still at work in one
Who is recovering; won’t be long!
I hear Him in a child’s rich laughter
Who’s loved so deeply by her dad.
I see Him in an age old senior
Who lives with pain, yet still is glad.
I feel Him in the short embrace
Of two who have forgiven!
I see Him wipe away the tears,
As they do victory living.
I hear Him in the pastor’s voice
As he leads strong in prayer.
I could go on, but watch and listen,
For Jesus Christ works everywhere!
Karin Ristau
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