The lyrics from Michael W. Smith’s song, “Open the eyes of my heart” come to mind when I think of the kind of eyes God wants us to have.
Open eyes.
In Matthew 13:15-16, Jesus addressed the condition of people whose eyes are closed versus open:
For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
Often, our eyes are shut to a particular truth because we simply do not know. And sometimes, we don’t know because we don’t want to know.
Have you noticed the word “ignorant” shares a root with the word “ignore?” Both words come from the Latin “ignorare” (to ignore, be ignorant of).
The recently released documentary Blind Eyes Opened reaffirms what many of us already know but have chosen to ignore – how spiritually diseased our nation has become. It brings into our view those suffering in the shadows. It shows us how, who, why, and where; and what we can do to rescue those who are oppressed, suffering…perishing.
Psalm 35:10 asks a profound question:
LORD, who is like You, who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, and the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?
Who is like Him? Are we not, as the body of Christ, called to be like Him?
Those being enslaved for the demented sexual gratification of others are robbed in the most profound sense – of their dignity and God-infused value and purpose.
The film also presents an urgent call to the church about God’s ordained family, a mother and father who raise secure children who might otherwise be vulnerable to traffickers. By patiently raising children in the discipline, instruction, and unconditional love of the Lord, godly parents create an environment where children are assured of their innate value.
This film will also be an eye-opener for Christian parents who have fallen prey to all sorts of addictions, including pornography – the fuel driving the demand.
Pornography is not victimless as some convince themselves – not by a longshot! Not in its production nor in its end. And porn addiction in the church is grievously rampant. More information is found here.
Blind Eyes Opened is a powerfully convicting tool that may just carry with it the power to turn the hearts of fathers to their children. The church in America is in desperate need of God’s convicting power, humility, repentance, forgiveness, healing – and revival!
Oh that we would
[N]o longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (Ephesians 4:17-19).
Because Blind Eyes Opened is intended for the church, it is being made available to churches, now through April 24. Perhaps God is calling on you to bring it to your congregation and community.
There is no cost to host the film, and your church receives a percentage of the ticket sales. Digital tickets simplify the process. And, you will be equipped with downloadable promotional materials to help you spread the word. Watch the trailer HERE and then click here for information about bringing it to your church.
Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention” (Isaiah 32:3).
