Verse Highlight:
Matthew 6:19-24 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (emphasis mine)
The Message “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.”
Dear Moms,
I have read Matthew 6 and the chapters around in countless times, yet they continue to both challenge and deeply encourage me! I encourage you take time to read them too! But, for the sake of this devotional though, we are going to focus mainly on the above verses.
These verses are speaking about storing treasure in heaven rather than on earth and then there is a seemingly random passage about eyes. What? How does this fit? What does one have to do with the other?
Our eyes are so important. What we see helps to shape the way we see and understand the world around us. This is why it can be so damaging for kids (and us!) to watch things that are immoral or even simply without context or understanding. Is is important that we are thoughtful with what we allow before our eyes. But, it is also important that we train our eyes in how to see.
Have you ever noticed that different people experience the same circumstances differently? It is amazing how this happens! But, we all know this is true. We all have someone in our life somewhere who constantly sees things from a negative point of view. (If you don’t, there is a good chance that you are this person!) This isn’t actually a bad thing. God wired people differently and certain personalities tend in this direction—which means that there is good reason for it.
However, it also means that you may need to work harder than others to train your eyes in how they see. And, the truth is, this is something we all need to consciously do because the way we see determines the light we carry. And, if the light inside of us is dark, how great is the darkness! This is because we are the source of the darkness and we don’t even realize that what we are seeing is darkness! We think it is what light looks like!
And, the cost of our eyes being dim is great. We practice righteousness for the applause of man instead of heaven. We focus on the wrong things & become consumed with the cares of this world. We worry and strive and end up hating and despising the very One we think we are serving.
Yikes! But, there is good news. It is this: we get to control how we see. We can train our eyes to see with light. The question is how do we do this?
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 The Message
One way we train our eyes to see correctly is by focusing on what God is doing right now. And if you can’t see what He is doing it’s because you haven’t been paying attention. So, today, I want to invite you to open your eyes and see. He is with you! Stop, take a deep breath and close your eyes right now, just for a second.
Did you feel His Presence? If not, try it again (and again!)—however long you have to try before you do. It might just be a glimpse of Him, but that’s all you need. It’s the start. Recognizing that God is with you and looking for Him, straining to see what He is doing—it will change the way you see. Rather than lack, you will see an opportunity for Him to provide. Rather than stress, you will lean into His grace. Rather than fear, you will find His unshakable love.
I don’t know what you are facing today. I don’t know what this season of motherhood looks like. But, I do know that the Lord is with you. He loves you. He loves your kiddos. So, let this thought strengthen and encourage you today. No matter what is happening in your world and the world in general, the Lord is near and if you open your eyes to it, you will be filled with wonder, belief, and light as you see all that He is doing.
You’ve got this, Mama! And, more importantly, He’s got this. And He’s got you, too. Just open your eyes and see.
Action Step: One way to train our eyes is by praying the Lord’s Prayer regularly. (I’ve mentioned this in previous devotionals.) So, I encourage you to pray this prayer each day.
Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]”
As you pray it, change it into your own words so you are processing—and believing—the words you are praying! You will be amazed at how these simple words will change the way you see and grow faith in your heart.