what about dove's eyes?

   Lately, I've been distracted. Petty details of this life consume me. I find it ridiculous that I have such trouble focusing on what really matters. Why am I so easily thrown off course? This frustrates me, to say the least.

Dove's eyes.

   I've seen this phrase before. It shows up in songs and is weaved into sermons. It never riveted me as it has this past week though. In Song of Solomon, the bride is called a "dove" and is described as having "doves eyes." This caught my eye. What proves so special about a dove, let alone it's eyes? My curiosity compelled me to learn more about doves. I found that doves are only able to fix their eyes on one thing at a time, which means when a dove fixes it's gaze upon it's mate, no activities or objects around the bird distract it. Therefore, the dove is often referred to as the "Love Bird." For us, having this "dove's eye" indicates that we are becoming increasingly aware of our God's person and presence. It means that we have a spiritual awareness that will lift us above the pulls of the earthly. This binocular perspective will enable us to become sensitive to the Lord's presence and obedient to His desire and purpose. The Lord favors those who have cultivated "dove's eyes" toward Him. These people are easily led by Him, because they are close enough to see which way His eye is looking.
   Song of Solomon 4:9 says, "You have stolen my heart, my treasure, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes," and SOS 6:5 says, "Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me." This is how God is ravished by us.


   He knew what He was getting into when He said my name, and He said it just the same. He knew what He was getting into when He called me, but He does not regret it. He is not shocked by my struggle. He chose me, and that's enough. He sees strength in me when the only thing I see inside myself is weakness. He sees the end from the beginning; He knows where this is going. So few will ever fight the good fight; at least I'm fighting even when it feels like I'm losing. Few will ever enter the battle, but I refuse to quit. This is all He asks of me. So few will ever look back at Him and say, "I really want to love You" while I say it every day. I say, "I'm so sinful and full of compromise," and He sees my confession. He knows it's real. He still believes those vows I've made to Him and broken. I make them and continue to break them. He still believes in me. He sees the seeds of righteousness in me. He's clothed me in the blood of His son, and it's enough. It's enough. Why am I trying to get into a room I'm already in? He knows I'm in a dark night of faith, but I still have faith, when so few do. I am His favorite one. I am the only one He sees; I've ravished Him. He knows I'm disappointed with the way my life is coming down, and He also knows that regardless, I'll keep fighting. I'll press on, I'll push, I'll long, I'll reach, I'll mourn, I'll hunger, and I'll thirst. That's all He asks of me. It moves Him, oh, it moves Him. I ruin Him; Nothing could overwhelm Him, but I overwhelm Him. My eyes are like dove's eyes to Him; they overwhelm Him. I waver in vision, but I keep coming back to Him. I won't give up, I won't give in, and I won't let shame pull me down. If I don't quit, I win. God says, “Angels, oh angels, gather round. Angels, oh angels, look and see! Through that dark night of faith she’s still choosing me.” He spins around wildly singing, “She said yes again and again, she chose humility when she was overlooked, and she chose humility when she was misunderstood! She chose humility when she was falsely accused! She chose humility when she was disappointed. She said no to bitterness. She focused on me when so much was fighting for her attention. And when she was so afraid, she got up again. Look, angels, look! Angels, look and see; oh the way she moves me! Tell her the way she moves me!” It's more than just mercy; I'm not a project to make Him look good. He doesn't just feel sorry for me. He wants me, He loves me, and He delights in me. I'm the only object of His affection, and I'm the center of His world. He is not shocked by me, He is not disappointed.

This is why I fight. This is why I must focus. He loves me regardless, and that unfailing love is the reason I desire to gaze only upon Him.

I will have dove's eyes. I will not be distracted.