Often when students read, they highlight important information to remember. The rest of the words are considered expendable. Usually, the students gauge importance by what may appear on an exam. Preference goes to highlighter pens in transparent day glow colors of yellow, blue, pink, and green, but pen underlines suffice if necessary.

Unaware, people tend to go through life with invisible highlighters in their minds. They take in with their eyes what they want to see and dismiss what they deem to be less important. They choose to do a double take on some observations and release the rest. This occurs on the physical level. Many do not think beyond the purely physical level, but there is another dimension of thought available.

God’s word informs people on the spiritual level. He tells us that we are made in His image. He put within each individual the capacity to see with eyes of the heart in addition to eyes of the head. The Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of believers, and if they let Him guide, then He highlights what God wants to bring to focus, that which He wants considered for present or future action.

In the story of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), three people walked down the same road and took in the scene of the man downed by thieves and left for dead. The first two, a priest and a Levite, passed by, avoiding the downed man by walking on the other side of the road. They saw and dismissed the scene. They did not highlight, but forgot it The third person who encountered the scene, a Samaritan, reacted differently. In verse 33, “…when he saw him, he had compassion.”

The Samaritan took in what he saw and did not dismiss it. He interpreted it through the eyes of his heart and felt compassion. His compassion led him to action. He took care to bring the man up from the ground and help him to recovery. This story shows how the Christian worldview works to bring good into the world.

Are you letting your view of the world be highlighted by God? Ask Him for help and He will develop the eyes of your heart.

Heavenly Father,

Today I ask that You would help me and others to see more clearly the world around us as You see it. Please grow the eyes of our hearts to fully comprehend Your compassion and Christian love for those we pass by each day. Help stir us to make a good difference concerning those in need. Help us discern people with true needs from those who would take advantage. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen