Eyes Wide Open: A Mindset for Spirit-Empowered Living

​Eyes wide open or eyes closed? How do you pray? Even more importantly – how do you live? 
 
There is a stance, an attitude towards everyday living that can open us up to be vessels of the Lord bringing truth and hope to those around us, and another that closes us in, shuts us – and the Holy Spirit – down, isolating us, closing us off from what God wants to do in the earth.

How do you live?
 
Years ago, my husband and I served as full-time missionaries in Mexico and then later taught cross-cultural missions in a small midwestern Bible college. The admonition we received from our mentors and one we passed on to the students in our class is the understanding that when you enter a new area, you are not “bringing God” to these people. 
 
God is already at work. Your role is to discern what he is doing and get in sync with him as a laborer working in the field alongside the Master.
 
The Father Draws People to Himself
We can (and should) carry that same mindset into our daily lives. Wherever you are—at work, in your community, at home, with your family – God is at work. The Father is drawing people... if we open our eyes and our hearts, we can grasp what he is doing and work in tandem with him.
 
It takes the weight off your shoulders to know that your co-worker’s salvation, your government’s redemption, your adult children’s spiritual walk – is not wholly dependent on you. Though Christ compels us to love, to be his ambassadors “as though God was speaking through us” – we are not their savior. But we are God’s voice, his hands, his love.
 
A New Awareness of the Holy Spirit
With eyes wide open, we gain an increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and the needs around us. We sense the promptings, not motivated by obligation or intimidation – to love, to give, to hug, to hold...
 
To speak a word “fitly spoken” that tears down strongholds and tears off blinders.  A wholesome word that divides between soul and spirit and brings Life. 
 
How to Begin
You may be wondering how to gain this “new awareness” of the Holy Spirit and God’s working in the earth. It really goes back to a mindset. An attitude within your own heart to listen and respond – and a commitment of your life to the Lord. Consider Samuel, when the Lord awoke him in the middle of the night. (Bolds mine.)
 
“The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:10
 
Consider Isaiah when the Lord was calling him to be a prophet to Israel.
 
“Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me...” Isaiah 8:18
 
And, consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he wrestled with the task before him. What was his response?
 
“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’” Luke 22:42 
 
There is a mandate on your life and mine, to be the salt and light in the earth. To shine brightly for God. Sometimes that means a word, sometimes it takes an action, but always it takes an attitude of listening and responding with a heart that trusts in the Lord.
 
How do you live? Let’s start opening our eyes and see.
 
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV
 
 
Additional references:
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15
 
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
 
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
 
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2
 
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
 
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
 
#HolySpiritLed #Spiritledliving #Godawareness #eyeswideopen
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