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“Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” That’s what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 13:16, and I hope that’s what He would say to you and me as we enter a New Year together. Eight times in the Gospels Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear,” and His implication is unmistakable–sometimes we can hear without really hearing, and we can see without really seeing.

“Eyes to see and ears to hear.” These are some of our greatest needs, because without hearing ears and seeing eyes relationships can decay, wonder and mystery can disappear, revelation can be missed, and a noble purpose from God can begin to feel like drudgery. Let’s make it a collective New Year’s prayer that God would give us fresh eyes and ears to see where He is at work, to hear what He is saying, and to perceive how He would want us to respond.

I love Jesus’ words to Nathaniel when He invited him to be His follower. He said, “You will see greater things than these,” and I think He wants to say that to you and me as well. I’m sure Nathaniel would testify that when we see what we’re supposed to see, and then act on what we are shown, miraculous results can occur.