All Eyes OPEN!
"Teacher, so-and-so had her eyes open."
"Well, how do you know that unless you did as well?"
As a young girl in GA’s learning what it means to accept salvation, I learned I was a sinner! Was that my first taste of humble pie? I doubt it, but it’s one I remember well.
How many times have I heard that phrase-"Every head bowed, every eye closed"?
Countless.
That’s what my leader had said that day as she ended our lesson while calling out any girl who had learned enough to be ready to make the decision to ask Jesus into her heart. And during this time, everyone’s eyes were to be closed and our heads were to be bowed.
A hopeful gesture that would ideally calm a nervous soul, allowing anyone who wanted to acknowledge that they were ready to take that step in faith to do so without an audience. Admitting they were sinners and acknowledging the fact that Jesus was crucified in order for His shed blood to wash them clean of their sins, so that they could move forward serving Him in order to bring others to know Him too. The step to publicly profess they were a new being, saved by grace with Jesus in their heart. That walk to the front of the congregation, or GA’s class...
Oh for the day that sentence doesn’t need to be repeated because there isn't a question of whether or not someone in the room needs salvation.
Instead, "All eyes open and hands raised high!" could be the closing call of worship. Celebration and praises would be loud and proud all around! We could all enjoy the Word of God as we learn and grow in our relationship with HIM! Praises and more praises could be sung as we worshiped our SAVIOR!
Lessons on how to achieve salvation would cease and be replaced by reminders of Heaven's glory and the excitement of the second coming.
But then again, if there was no need for the invitation, we wouldn't be here...
No more open invitation to give hearts to Jesus. No more need to admit our heavy, driving sin and our need for cleansing. No more guilt, shame, feelings of loneliness and wandering. No more searching.
No more souls to win would mean the world was ready for our eternity in Heaven!
Worship service could be just that, a service full of worship! Lessons could focus on the greatness of God. His glory, His love, His greatness, all the time!
Fellowship could be full of awe as everyone shared their excitement and anticipation for the day we get our new bodies and are able to bask in the love and beauty of our Savior.
As it is today, we gather to solidify our faith. To grow in our relationship with God and each other. Other believers. Other members of God's army.
As we study, worship, fellowship- we rise. We grow, we strengthen, we unite, we make ready. We listen. And we nourish our hearts to accept the fact that we have work to do. There are too many lost souls that need good examples of Christ's love to help them find salvation.
OH! for that amazing day that the trumpets will sound! Blinding light and revelation!
I CAN NOT wait.
Literally. For real, I totally look forward to that day. I've stamped my ticket already!
Be sure yours is stamped too!
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Ephesians 2:8-9
