“All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?”
Brandon Heath sings and asks himself this as he breathes in the confusion and chaos of people in this world and as he longs to have the eyes and heart of Jesus.
It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives and our own problems, isn’t it? To become blind or passive about the pain of others? Or perhaps numb, because we can’t bear to think of all the pain in this world?
I long to really see each and every person I meet, whether in person or online. I want to listen to the brokenness behind their pasted-on smiles and I’ve-got-it-altogether words. I want to care what is happening to them behind the scenes. I want to remember that each one carries a cross, sometimes hidden from the rest of the world, and to place their burdens in the hands of God who knows and cares.
There may be times when we hesitate to pray for some people. Perhaps it’s someone who hasn’t treated us very well in the past? Someone who has spread rumors or believed in the slander of our person? Someone who has abused us in some way?
Personally, I find it hard to pray for someone who has hurt me. And even harder to pray for someone who has hurt my loved ones or defenseless children and adults. I confess that sometimes I don’t even want God to care about their souls. I hang my head in sadness and plead that I will become more like Jesus.
It’s not always easy, is it? Especially when the pain runs so deep. I’ve asked God – “How can I ask You to bless this person, Lord?” I feel in my heart that God hurts for me and understands why it’s so hard, and He is so patient with me as He helps me through this long and continuous healing process. Through His grace, I will eventually heal deeper and be able to see every person like Jesus sees them.
Oh, to have the eyes of Jesus! When He was suffering excruciating pain on the cross to save us from death and agony, He still looked at the people around Him with compassion. People who hated Him with a passion. Who drove in the nails and mocked Him. Who stripped Him of His dignity. And yet His first words were, “Father, forgive them…”
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,
for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a
He could have said, “Father, consume them. They don’t deserve Your love or forgiveness.” But no, He didn’t. His love for sinful mankind is far beyond what we can ever fathom.
We have just as much a part in crucifying Jesus as the ones who physically drove in those nails, and in disgracing Him to the lowest of the lowest. And yet He still looks directly into our eyes and hearts with love and compassion. While His blood was pouring out to cleanse us. So there will always be hope for us. In spite of who we are or what we have done or not done, He prays for us and longs to redeem us.
Oh, to have a heart of love like Jesus! A deep, true love for humanity!
“Give Me Your Eyes”
by Brandon Heath
“Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see…”
Freed to Fly 
This is a good challenge for me today, Trudy! There are some people I’ve been struggling with who are hard to pray for but it would make such a difference to follow Jesus’ example and to try to see them as he does. Thank you for your words today!
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It’s really hard to do, isn’t it, Lesley? I pray God will give you grace and strength to deal with the people you struggle with. May we grow ever more like Jesus and see everyone through His eyes!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you for these beautiful words. My heart was so moved here: “Oh, to have the eyes of Jesus! When He was suffering excruciating pain on the cross to save us from death and agony, He still looked at the people around Him with compassion.” Yes so much! May I let Him lift my eyes to see the way that He sees! Thank you for sharing your precious heart of compassion with us,Trudy. Blessings, love, and hugs to you! xoxo
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Praying with you, Bettie, to let Jesus lift our eyes to see the way that He sees! The infinite, unconditional love He has is so incomprehensible, isn’t it? Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May His love and compassion fill our hearts and spill over to all we meet, even in the times when we’re in pain!
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Brandon Heath’s song is one of my all-time favorites! What an encouragement and prayer! And your post truly encourages me! Yes, to have the eyes of Jesus! Amen! Thank you, dear Trudy, for sharing your beautiful heart with us. I am always encouraged and inspired by my visits here. Love and huge hugs to you! ❤ ❤
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I’m so glad you are encouraged and inspired here, Lynn. Thank you for your kind words! Brandon Heath’s words really speak of the longing of our hearts, don’t they? Love and huge hugs to you, too! May Jesus give us eyes to truly see past the exterior to the inward brokenness of humanity!
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Oh, yes, to see as Jesus does . . . We so often fail at this, Trudy, and I’m guilty as charged. It’s especially difficult for me not to want to hide from the hurt happening in this world every day. It’s just so emotionally overwhelming! Yet, I know the antidote to this sticking my head in the sand is to pray, knowing God will hear, that He cares, that He loves each one of us, warts and all. Thank you, my friend, for this heartfelt inspiration today.
Blessings always!
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I’m guilty as charged, too, Martha. I also get so emotionally overwhelmed and want to hide from all the hurt happening in this world. I love the antidote you share. Yes, to pray “knowing God will hear, that He cares, that He loves each one of us, warts and all.” Amen! Blessings to you, too! May we keep pouring out our hearts to Jesus who has the love, compassion, and power to help anyone who is hurting!
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Thank you for these beautiful words and challenge today. You have given me a lot to think about. I need to ask myself everyday if I am looking through my own lens or through the eyes of Jesus when I see others. I know I can be swayed by worldly opinions and I need to allow God’s voice to always speak louder. Blessings and hugs to you!
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I can be swayed by worldly opinions, too, Mary. Like you, I need to allow God’s voice to always speak louder. It can be hard though, can’t it? Blessings and hugs to you, too! May we more and more surrender our own lens to Jesus and see others through His eyes!
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I do see Jesus through your words and compassion, and kindness, Trudy. Your lovely comments and cards you’ve given me when sensing and reading a loss in my words. Thank you for being a steward of God’s gifting He has bestowed on you as His beloved daughter.
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Thank you for your kind, sweet words, Lynn. I know there are so many losses I don’t sense, but it’s a comfort to know God knows them all and cares. May we both daily remember we are beloved daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us so much!
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What a soul searching post this is, with words that challenge even as I am saying amen to them: “Oh, to have a heart of love like Jesus! A deep, true love for humanity!” Oh, indeed! Because people can ill-treat, scorn, abuse, mock and hold a lasting grudge against us. Then we really do need the heart, love and compassion of Jesus to be able to even think kindly about, never mind pray for them. I definitely see the lack in my own soul that would rather run away from this challenge than embrace it with holy courage. But I also see the way you react and respond to your readers and friends here, and it is truly lovely, kind, gentle, encouraging and compassionate in every way. Jesus shines out of you, my friend, through your sweet words and deeds. Blessings, love and hugs! xo ❤
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Oh Joy, I definitely see the lack in my own soul, too. It’s hard to think kindly about or pray for some people, isn’t it? Thank you for your loving and sweet encouragement in my life. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May we more and more embrace the heart, love, and compassion of Jesus and see others through His eyes!
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yes, yes … the pain of others can be overwhelming and leave us numb and searching for quick answers … or cause us to run in the other direction.
we’re talking about listening to people in pain at my place this week. i do look forward to hearing your wise perspective, friend.
this can be a very hard conversation, can’t it …
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Yes, listening to people in pain can be a hard conversation for sure, Linda. I’m looking forward to that discussion. It takes a special gift to be a counselor like you. And special strength from God. It must get so overwhelming at times. I pray God gives you sufficient grace and wisdom! May we open our hearts to listen with love and compassion like Jesus does to others in pain!
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I love that Brandon Heath song (well, actually I love MANY of his songs!). It convicts me every time I hear it. I want the eyes of Jesus, too. Too often I’m blinded by my own agenda of the day and miss out on the opportunities He has for me.
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I am too often blinded by my own agenda, too, Lisa. This song is the longing of my heart. May we ever more deeply know the love of Jesus and be given His eyes for humanity!
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