-(1a) full of wonder or astonishment
-(1b)having child-like simplicity, trust, or innocence
-(2)watchful and alert; to be fully aware of what's going on around you
-(3) a song by Australian musician Gotye
How many times have I heard this expression used? "I should have know better, I mean, I walked into the relationship with eyes wide open." "I'll need to keep my eyes wide open: I know this is dangerous and could burn me." "I wish I would have kept my eyes open. Maybe then I wouldn't be in this situation now." "My mother warned me to keep my eyes wide open..." etc, etc, etc.
Why do we, as a culture, feel the need to reiterate this piece of advice? And, if it's so important, why does it seem to so often go unheeded?
We are being called a generation of sleepers- a zombie horde smothered by technology, disconnect, and over scheduling. Our eyes are down on the pavement, numbly counting the cracks that we step over on our way from work to the next item on our checklist.
...one...two...three..four...five...six...
We do not have our eyes wide open. We are not full of wonder and excitement when we see the incredible blade of grass crashing through the layers of concrete like a tiny green hulk. We are not filled with astonishment when we drive by a park in the middle of winter and still see a group of red-nosed children bundled up in a calico assortment of warmth playing tag and braving the elements for the love of the sport. We are not fully aware of what's going on around us when we peck out a meaningless text as we cross a busy street. We are not watchful to see if our actions hurt others because we are too consumed with our own fatigue and disinterest.
We do not have our eyes wide open.
How can I live a life with eyes wide open, full of childish wonder and expectation of the miraculous? Life is too beautiful and too precious to miss even one second. I want to be awake!
I do not believe it is a fault in our natures but instead in the demands of our culture. Everyone knows that when you spread cream cheese too thinly on a bagal that it's hardly worth eating. The same is true for life. If we spread ourselves too thin, then our life is hardly worth living.
“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” -Jim Elliot
So, as we plan our schedules, we need to be prayerful. How can I have a life that both allows me to do the most and also get the most out of everything I do?
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