I love the ancient Irish hymn “Be Thou My Vision” by Mary Byrne.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart…
As I was reading the words to this hymn, it struck me that His vision is from the heart of love.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
How did Jesus see the lepers, adulteress, prostitute, Lazarus, Zacharius, the man with demons, the man with the crippled hands, the crowds He taught and the Pharisees? He saw them through eyes of love, compassion, kindness and gentleness.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the LORD make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
Love others as you love a child: fully, easily, expecting nothing in return, and even when they’re messy or bratty. See the hopes and dreams you have for them! See them free in Him and help them to get there as much as you’re able.
Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
We need to grace each other, and ourselves as we grow in love.
We should be a safe place.
Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.
There’s show on Netflix called “The Kindness Diaries”. Leon Logothetis travels the world living only on the kindness of others. He always meets someone spiritual and so like Jesus. In one episode he meets a man who invites anyone that doesn’t have a place to go into his home every Wednesday for a BBQ. The house is packed and there are people there from all over the world! He’s been doing this for 10 years!
Leon asks him what he says to people who are afraid of others who look different or have a different religion. He said, “I just invite them to dinner. We’ve forgotten as people how to be a community.”
This man doesn’t look at the outward appearance.
Leon hugs a man from Sierra Leone and the man says to him, “Thank you, for you.”
A child’s voice in the background, “We’re glad everybody’s here!”
1 John 4:12 …His love is brought to full expression in us.
1 Corinthians 16:24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Abba, help us to see with your heart into others hearts. Gives us the vision to love and be as You mean the Body to be. Help us to cut through all the junk that keeps us from truly experiencing You and walking in unity and loving all those around us. Amen and so be it.