THE EYES OF TRUE LOVE

By Sharon Frame

I looked in the mirror yesterday, and focused on what needed fixing. I did admire my disarming smile. But far more time was spent bemoaning my dreary, droopy eyes caused by another hard day’s work. Can you relate?

Funny how God sees something totally different when He gazes at me. I am not quite sure we realize just how crazy God is about us. In Isaiah 49:16, He says “I have inscribed you in the palms of my hands.” Only someone who is madly in love with you would take the trouble to tattoo your name in the palm of his hands!

If that was not enough, Psalm 17: 8 says, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye…” No doubt you’ve heard that scripture before. It sounds quite comforting. But what does it really mean to be “the apple of God’s eye?" Check it out in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. The original Hebrew translation for the word "apple" is not a fruit. It’s “pupil” or “the middle.” It’s also translated, “little man.”

When you look into the pupil of someone’s eyes, what do you see? A small reflection of yourself! Look closely next time. A little you looks back at you.

When God looks at us, He sees a small reflection of Himself! We are a reflection of God. How awesome is that? Just imagine how this one revelation could transform a destructive person’s worthless self-image. Depression, fear, self-defeat would all vanish if we saw ourselves as God does--through the eyes of His pure love.

The pupil is the center of the eye. Since we are the apple (pupil) of God’s eye, it’s reasonable to conclude we are the center of His attention. His daily focus is on us. Psalm 34:15 says “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” This love affair baffled another writer who asked, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4-5)

Our Heavenly Father looks at us and sees His undying love for mere mortals. His adoring gaze reminds Him of Jesus’ great victory at Calvary. That act re-united a father with his children who were lost and destitute. He calls us His “Beloved.” That means we are dearly loved. Now the question is what are we calling ourselves?

Take another look in the mirror; not the one in your bathroom. Take a look in the mirror of the Word of God. When you do, you are actually looking into God’s eyes. And when we look into God’s eyes (the Word, the Light), we see a small reflection of ourselves.

That’s one reason why it’s so critical to consistently read and study the Bible. It obliterates darkness and confusion. It reveals who we really are. It describes our worth and value to God, and our responsibility to Him. We learn to see ourselves as God sees us. It’s all written out in His “will and testament.”

There is no need for Christians to walk around defeated. Go back to the mirror and gaze in the Father’s eyes. Be reminded of who you are and “whose” you are. And also remember, “For he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8), and there will be hell to pay!

You can’t help but love such a God more dearly.

Scripture Of The Day: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.” - Psalm 8:4-5