Through Heaven's Eyes

                        [In Ephesians] As Paul praises God, he focuses on the way he has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Paul was writing this from prison, where he was held in chains (Ephesians 6:20), but these circumstances did not quench his spirit of praise. Paul understood the difference between what goes on in this world and what is true in the “heavenly realms.” The Romans might lock him up; he might be mistreated; he might suffer greatly; but no physical circumstances could deprive him of the all-important spiritual benefits he had because he was in Christ.

The animated movie The Prince of Egypt depicted the life of Moses and included several powerful songs including one titled “Through Heaven’s Eyes.” One stanza from the song asks,

So, how can you see what your life is worth

Or where your value lies?

              You can never see through the eyes of man

You must look at your life…

Look at your life through heaven’s eyes.  

What Paul is helping us do in Ephesians is to look at life through heaven’s eyes. Disciples who do this see that they have been amazingly blessed in the ways that matter most. “We were chosen before the creation,” he says, essentially. There was a creation and there is a Creator, but before he ever created, he had us in mind, and he was determined to benefit us in his great plan. Try this: Go outside on a clear, starry night. Take some time to just contemplate the universe. Allow yourself to be amazed. Then give praise to the God who made it all because he was committed to blessing you before he ever created the first thing. You may be facing some challenges, even some severe ones, but look at your life through heaven’s eyes.