Christ Icon by Nikola Mihaylov via Wikimedia Commons.

Faith is trusting what the eye can’t see.
Eyes see the prowling lion. Faith sees Daniel’s angel.
Eyes see storms. Faith sees Noah’s rainbow.
Eyes see giants. Faith sees Canaan.

Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.
Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.
Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker.
But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal
bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.
– Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name

Hebrews 11:1 NRSV
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The following worship resource was inspired by a devotion entitled Eyes Open by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and is adapted and published here with his gracious permission. I have found Steve’s work consistently beautiful, thoughtful, and prayerful and look forward to worshipping alongside him through his daily posts on his blog, Unfolding Light. Consider this an enthusiastic recommendation to join me as a subscriber.
– Lisa <><

Worship Resource: Eyes Open
ONE:
On the road to Emmaus,
their eyes were kept from recognizing the Risen Christ.

ALL:
Open my inner eye to see your presence.

ONE:
Thinking the Risen Christ to be the gardener,
Mary Magdalene asked, “Where have you taken him?”

ALL:
Help me see you in all people.

ONE:
The Risen Christ stood on the beach in the morning light,
but the heartbroken fishermen did not know it was him.

ALL:
Help me trust in your presence,
even when I do not feel it.

ONE
Weary and guilt-ridden, Jacob realized,
“Truly, God was in this place and I,
I did not know it.”

ALL:
You have walked with me
even when I did not know it.
Grant me gratitude and trust.
May I ever wonder at your presence
and walk in faith. Amen.

*********
Eyes Open © 2014 Steve Garnaas-Holmes
adapted with permission by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. Please contact Steve and Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.