To your heart...

It's very possible that we are bound by our circumstances. At least in many ways. I can't think of a way, other than Christ, that we can look at life and it's ups and downs from any other view but through our own selfish eyes. We open our eyes each morning and view the room in which we lay. Our perspective. Our eyes. Our lives. Each day passes as we only see what is in front of our faces. What a plague it is. How I wish I could see through others' eyes every now and again.

But isn't this a spiritual problem as well? How many of us spend much of our time with God on others' behalf? How many of us are heartbroken by looking at the world through His eyes? The answer, if found, would probably make us all squirm. I've been making a point to spend time talking with God about other people. Praying for everyone that comes to mind. I've always prayed for other people; for family, for friends, for enemies, for whoever. Except now, I'm trying to spend more time praying about others' lives than my own. Looking through their eyes. It's hard to look past our own needs and wants. There are many things in my life that I need to pray for and now that I'm willing to put them on the back burner, I'm able to make more time to pray for those issues too. I think this is what God desires of us. How many of us remember that there are people sitting in a little hut on a lake in the middle of Burma while we are getting ready for bed? Or what about the young adults celebrating their friend's birthday in a small, snow-covered, Russian town? The woman wrestling with depression as her newborn baby cries all night long? I think we forget about everyone we can't see. I don't think it makes us bad people. I think it makes us human. And products of our own circumstances. Our own eyes. Our own lives.

I spent a good amount of time last night praying for General Than Shwe, the political leader of Burma, also known as Myanmar be its government. My husband and I were talking about how we think most people fight for a cause that they truly believe is right. I think it's highly likely for me to understand that General Shwe probably sees his atrocities as the right thing for his country. I have come to this point where I can understand what he might be thinking. Sure, he may be filled with hate and he may take measures that I can't imagine taking, but is it so far from what is done everywhere else in this world? He is doing what he believes is best in order to unify the country in his charge. When looking at it from this point of view, is it so hard to see? And how different will it be not so long from now when a new world leader will bring us to one world currency? One world order? One world religion? Sure, there will be crimes committed in order to get to this end but is world peace worth the means? Many will be convinced it is. Is this so hard to believe? Especially in a time and country where tolerance and acceptance in order for peace is considered the humane and right thing to do. How far of a jump is it from legalized abortion to one world-wide religion to be enforced? I dare say, it isn't far at all. Most people in the world would be willing to give up major beliefs in order for peace. Can you imagine the questions people would pose? ..... "What is wrong with love? That's all it is. Love. Why are Christians so hateful and hypocritical? I thought Christ was about love and peace. That's what this is.".... and what is the difference now?...."What is wrong with love? That's what homosexuality is. Love. Why are Christians so hateful and hypocritical? I thought Christ was about love."

Everything under the sun is justifiable. At least in Earthly terms. We can seriously convince ourselves of anything. America is founded on honor, loyalty, and many other admirable traits. At least that's what we've built it on after the official split with England. But in all honesty we are a bunch of traitors who committed treason of the highest offense. We used violence to get what we wanted. We snuck around behind our government's back and committed horrible crimes. But it is all justifiable. England was mistreating us. We were fighting against a great evil... where we not? All of the crimes were committed against us. We found the truth and fought for it. Right? We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...... Everything is justifiable.

So, I guess my point is: I think we need to pray. We need to get some seriously bloody knees. Pray for our world and not through our own eyes, through Christ's.

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart