New Eyes

Help me to see with new eyes,
my vision is dim,
clouded with pride,
reduced by my sin.
Getting frustrated
with gifts I don’t have;
but I don’t turn to you,
why would I do that?
You only made everything,
hold it all in your hands;
You only gave grace,
that I can’t understand;
You only spoke peace,
broke the chains I once wore;
Only carried a cross
that I should have bore.

Help me see with new eyes,
for mine have a plank;
as I question this calling,
think I made a mistake.
Lethargic with truth
You entrusted me with;
because I’m not seeing fruit
when I pour into this.
I want to press on,
have zeal that’s unmoved-
but that’s nearly impossible
if my eyes aren’t on you;
stay “joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer,”
that’s Paul’s ammunition;
joyful in hope-when things go my way;
patient and faithful?
Don’t know what to say;
Does it count as a prayer,
if I’m yelling at you?
How do I listen?
What do you speak through?

Help me see with new eyes,
for mine get distracted
with the treasures around me,
need these lenses retracted;
I whine, “it’s not fair”
when I can’t pay my bills,
yet I look like the world,
lavished with frills.
Walk by those with nothing,
tragic smile on my face,
as my eyes tell them, “sorry”
but my wallet won’t break.
And I’m far too important
to wear rags like that,
so I walk past these beggars,
refuse to look back.
Sacrifice nothing,
because I say that I can’t,
forgetting what He did,
As my image I revamp.

I can almost feel you,
looking at me;
sorrowful eyes
that want to set my soul free;
Your eyes want so much more
than the things that I grasp,
like the guidance you’d give me,
if only I’d ask;
They are the most beautiful
eyes I have seen;
The ones that see everything,
yet choose to love me.
Refusing to turn
from the garbage they see;
unspeakable rottenness
that’s rooted in me;
Forgiveness eternal,
mercy that lasts-
Lord, give me new eyes;
new eyes like that…

Waiting.

What a journey it has been for you,
and it hasn't been smooth road;
eaten by anxiety,
feel weary and alone.
Desires pressing hard
upon a heart that seems concealed;
Long to know His will,
yet it has not been revealed.
Try opening your hands
to what He wants to give to you;
but it’s hard to loosen up your grasp,
as your knuckles are turning blue.

Longing to relax,
just to feel a sense of peace;
how long will this pain last?
When will you be set free?
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
it says the Lord declares;
yet it’s hard to understand-
when your lot does not seem fair.

How, then, do you wait on Him,
with decisions on your hands?
Waiting with torture in their voice,
making high demands.
This life, it is not simple;
it’s filled with sacrifice;
normal mediocrity
beginning to entice-
the deepest depths beyond your heart
that no one can see into;
hunger pains you can’t resist,
but there’s nothing you can do.

What does it mean
to serve with joy
when robbed of all control?
How do you lift
your hands and voice
with such a broken soul?

Trying to look forward,
and focus on the race;
wondering if this long hard run
will still land you in last place-
in the competition of your desires;
a war waging in your soul;
it’s just so tough to trust in Him,
and willingly let go.

Wish I could take this from you,
steal this burden from your hands;
comprehension is so far from me,
I just can’t understand.
But I will lift a prayer for you
when all is said and done;
That He will take you in His arms,
let you gracefully come undone.
I’ll ask He give you strength,
as you’re called in Him to wait;
and in it, that you’ll find joy
as you gladly anticipate-
all the things He holds for you,
with this bright future in His plans;
surrounded by the ones you love,
who will start to understand;
and know how best to love you,
affirming that they care;
that you will feel His presence,
never question if He’s there;
and I lift up most of all,
that you keep in sight His kingdom;
your love abound more and more in knowledge,
depth of insight, and in wisdom;
so you can discern what is best,
pure and blameless before Christ.
Always remember He gave His all to You-
for you, He gave His life.