Being awake and present means having the eyes of the heart open
A Thought
The writer’s prayer in Ephesians – I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. (1:17-19a)
Think about that phrase “the eyes of your heart.” The ancients spoke of the heart as the seat of knowledge and understanding. It was the place where mind and emotion meet. Being awake and present means having the eyes of the heart open, our awareness fixed upon our thought and feeling. With our heart firmly fixed in God — our mind and affections grounded — we can remember the hope to which he has called us. The eye of the heart in the heart of God.
What happens when we wait upon God, receiving power from God’s Spirit? What happens when the eyes of our heart are awakened to the spirit of wisdom and revelation? The gospel story shows us what happens when we wait expectantly — we experience the authenticity and power of Jesus’ presence. Jesus speaks and brings healing. The synagogue is amazed because he speaks out of his own authority, not in the name of another rabbi, like the scribes. When our source is the power of God awakened in our hearts, we also can mount up like eagles and act with authenticity and power. Like Jesus, we too can speak with our own voice. Our life is energised.
A Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
Mercifully look upon our infirmities,
and in all our dangers and necessities
stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Music
Praise my soul the king of heaven
St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d9RJMOP9Tw