My wife and I have a standing date Monday nights to watch Fox’s hit show LIE TO ME. This drama series, inspired by the scientific discoveries of a real-life psychologist who can read clues embedded in the human face, body and voice to expose the truth and lies in criminal investigations, features Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman, the world’s leading deception expert. If you lie to him, he’ll see it in your posture, hear it in your voice and most especially, he’ll see it in your eyes.
“It’s in the eyes. The eyes say it all.”
Coincidentally, my morning devotion today called my attention to Luke 15 where the Scribes and Tax collectors grumbled as they listened to Jesus saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” I suspect that they didn’t have to grumble out loud to make their opinions known. The daily game I play with young Cole – the 3 year-old we babysit each day – proves it possible. Every morning Cole’s mom packs an extra mini-chocolate donut for Cole to share with Mr. David. Every morning I ask Cole if he will surrender that donut to me. His answer? A squinty-eyed, puckered up glare that screams no! We go back and forth for a while and then he generally shares at least a part of a donut with me.
It’s in the eyes. The eyes say it all!
The truth is that our eyes build someone up, or tear someone down. They express either blessing or curses. Eyes can welcome or they exclude. They smile or they growl. They affirm or they condemn. No matter how you slice it, looks can give life or they can kill.
Have you ever stopped to consider what your eyes say on a daily basis? What do they say to the young person who took the tattoo and piercing route through early adulthood? What do they say to the single mom whose three kids are less than well disciplined? What do they say to the weathered day-laborer in line in front of you with a six pack and a bottle of liquor?
Bishop Robert Schnase suggests that we may need to change our prayers. We have prayers that ask God to change our hearts. We ask God for the courage to follow him into circumstances that change our minds. We have prayers to change our spirits. Maybe we also need a prayer that says, “Lord, change the way I look at people.” What do you think? When has someone looked at you and pushed you away? When has someone’s eyes welcomed you and built you up?