“O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love. So, be careful little eyes what you see”.

For many of us who grew up in church this childhood song was fairly popular. Each verse gives gentle warnings for our eyes, ears, tongues, hands, feet, hearts and minds, accompanied with its own reminder that God–as our Father–is looking, able to see everything we do and say, and He does so bathed in “love”.

As a child years ago, I never questioned God’s ability to see me at all times. Most days that was a comforting assurance, others I admit fear took hold and I became worried about consequences. I found myself carrying over that kind of consequential fear to my earthly dad. Once I got to high school and some of my friends said “let’s do ___________(fill in the blank) ” or “hey, let’s skip school!” I can safely say most times my answer was a firm “No”, with a tag line “I don’t want my dad to find out”. I held my dad in very high esteem, wanting to please him with my decisions and actions. Imagining any look of disappointment on his face was enough to crush any thought of doing something to cause him to be upset or shamed by wrongful actions.

Likewise,  in the heavenly realm I have a Father who “can” see and hear everything I do. My feelings of not wanting to fail Him parallel how I felt about my dad. But do I always say “no” when temptation comes along or are my conversations bathed under His love and grace? Quite honestly, no. Yet, though my–or your–sins have consequences, there is a wonderful text that Paul wrote which gives us assurance of God’s love. Romans 8: 1-2 says: “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death”.

There we have it! In the season of Lent we focus on the teachings of Christ and His ultimate purpose in coming to us in human flesh, that He would suffer and die on a Roman cross in payment of the sins for all the world. His death and resurrection fully satisfied following our sinful nature. Now believers follow the Spirit instead!

In the Old Testament one of God’s names is El Roi, “the God who sees”. It’s the Hebrew name given to God in the story of Hagar. Her story appears in Genesis 16 which I encourage you to read this week. Her story gives us a beautiful glimpse into God’s abundant love to see, know, and care for individuals who are overlooked, marginalized, and distressed. 

Too often I think people who are far from God only see Him as a God who is waiting to condemn or punish. I’ve met people who have said they don’t want to become a Christian because life wouldn’t be fun anymore. Both ideas fall far from God’s desires. While He DOES require repentance–turning away from sin–He offers abundant joy and freedom that is often indescribable! Living a Christian life is far from boring. It’s often described as a race.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.” (2 Timothy 7-8 New Living Translation)

In the midst of Lent, take heart that God sees you, no matter your circumstances.

Grab hold of His deep abiding love for you and does not want you to escape receiving freedom from your penalty of sin. He knows and cares about you, and like a gentle Father He’s waiting for you to enter the race, the beautiful journey of walking and running every step with Him seeing and cheering you on to the final prize, eternity with Him.