The Jeremiah Edition

Yesterday I was led to start reading the book of Jeremiah. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, so I thought why not read what led up to that verse.

I have a fancy, archaeological Bible. It gives historical insight into the culture, the time period and customs. This Bible totally fits my History Channel personality.

What I learned about Jeremiah surprised me a little. He was reclusive and shy. Not exactly what you would expect from a prophet. It struck me that God would choose Him, yet He always has a plan. The Jews were going to be punished because they turned their back on God. Jeremiah was the messanger. God told Jeremiah to not pray for the Jews, that his prayers would go unanswered. While Jeremiah delivered the terrible news to the Jews that God was angry at them and there would be consequences, he prayed for them still.

He prayed knowing that he couldn't and wouldn't change God's mind. Yet he loved the Jews. He loved them enough to lift them up to God, despite their actions. I think this is why God chose Jeremiah.

Often times when I come across something that hits me like that, I get into the car to drive to work and the perfect song fits that message. I don't believe in coincidences, so I know God is speaking to me. This morning the first song I heard was Brandon Heath's Give Me Your Eyes.

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

Chorus
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, He’s buying time

Chorus

I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

Chorus

What an awesome prayer, like Jeremiah. To see people, all people, as God does. We are made in His image.