Eyes

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber…The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

When mountains surround eyes, eyes lift to see their peaks, their majesty, their expanse in the sky. Their unspeakable beauty. Eyes are breathless as they behold the mountains. 

But eyes can only really do this when they pause. Intentionally. They stop, they settle, they focus. On the mountains’ Maker. 

When eyes are not lifted, they’re fixed on the upward mountain path, the path mapped out to be trudged. Eyes are concerned about stumbling, about shade, about enough help to keep going.  Wearying steps consume them. 

Steps of independence. Steps of paying bills and driving miles, and navigating family, and conducting business, and staying learned, and… coming and going. 

Oh eyes!  Pause.  Settle.  Focus.  Remember He who watches over you. He promises to watch over you. He will watch over you! Keep you from stumbling. Keep you shaded. Keep you helped. 

So lift up, oh eyes!