Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery (ELW 334, st. 7)
7 Give us eyes to see you clearly;
Make us children of your light,
Give us hearts to live more nearly
As your gospel shining bright,
As your gospel shining bright.
Words and music by Marty Haugen
© 1984, GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
The great reformer John Calvin said we can have a hazy understanding of God if we only look at the world around us. The beauty of a sunset or the sight of snow-capped mountains at least suggest that God exists. But there is a lot that goes wrong in the world as well. There is cancer and hurricanes and wildfires. So Calvin maintains our vision of God based on the created world alone is blurry and out of focus.
However, says Calvin, our vision becomes clear when we read and listen to the scriptures. He likened it to an old man with failing eyesight who puts on spectacles for the first time. Now he is truly able to see! It is the same with us. When we open our Bibles and move to its center—the story of Jesus crucified and risen—we see that God not only exists but that our Creator is also good and can be trusted. The Holy Spirit blesses us with eyes to see God clearly—a Redeemer whose love extends even to the unlovable—us!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, it is easy to be confused and depressed by things that go wrong in our lives and in the world around us. As we walk toward the cross with you, keep our eyes on you and your love for us and our world. Amen.