Gaze

What is the difference between looking or gazing at someone or something?  What causes us to gaze at something?  When I think of gazing, it pulls my thoughts to something of beauty – a sunset, or just my husband sleeping peacefully by my side (snoring or not).   While experiencing the clear night sky, it wouldn’t be sufficient to say I was just looking at the stars in the sky.  That would seem to many that I just happened to glance at the stars for a brief moment.  But to describe that my eyes (and soul) gazed at the night sky in all its glory, unable to count the twinkling stars that surrounded me, would be my description of gazing.  How often we go through life only looking at what is around us.  A mere passing glance, without an appreciation for everything that God created, would be a pity.  Do you look or do you gaze at all the wonder before your eyes?  Do you remember to say a simple prayer of thanks to God for his unending creations?  I don’t want to take for granted, even for a second, that He created our eyes, our beating hearts, and the intricacies of our brain to be able to experience and gaze lovingly upon all these daily miracles?    I can think of way too many times that I have rushed through my daily tasks and not gazed upon the obvious.    I take a moment to gaze at the simplicity of my hand wrapped in love around my husband’s, as we talk together.  I should gaze more often on the framed picture of Jesus that my husband gave me as a gift, by the acclaimed artist, Akiane, called “Prince of Peace”, which she painted at age eight.  I quietly wonder what Jesus is thinking as His gaze burns into my heart; and I am humbled that He should have gone through so much pain for me.  There are so many simple, but sacred things that we should choose to gaze on for more than mere, rushed moments.  I encourage you, next time you walk through the doors of your place of worship, or when you’re out in nature, to do more than just glance at the many visuals where we can experience and appreciate God’s presence.  What are your eyes drawn to around you that help you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit?  Join me every day in gazing upon God’s glory that surrounds us all.  We are truly blessed!

Note:  I encourage you to share what you love to gaze upon and feel the presence of our Lord by emailing me at crossesinthesky@gmail.com.  I will pull as many of your thoughts together as I can and add them to one of my weekly “From God’s Lips.” 

“I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4