Have you ever known someone with eyes that were hauntingly beautiful? Perhaps one reason why the eyes have such power like that is because we bear the image of God. But imagine how much more utterly beautiful are the eyes of Jesus? They captivate our hearts with awe. There in that pure and holy gaze we behold a thousand universes and a vast love beyond comprehension. In these eyes are fire, and in these eyes are a deep knowing--both the knowing of you like no other does and the knowing of what you never knew and never wanted others to know. These eyes see so much grief and evil upon the earth, but they are also looking earnestly for those with a heart fully committed to Him. That's what he really wants from us.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chr 16:9, NIV)

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb 4:13, NIV)

You and I have to take a raw and honest look at what our lives are producing, specifically our words and our actions What is the overflow of our heart? Are we seeing a lot of good fruit--or bad? There's so much wonderful goodness that the Holy Spirit is able to bring forth in us when we abide in Jesus and remain connected to the life-giving Vine. He alone is the true and only Source of every virtue, every praiseworthy attribute that we could bear. As we ask Him to do that deep work in us, may we begin to see the beautiful fruit that brings Him delight. As He has charged us,

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned." (Joh 15:4-6)

When everything is going well and people praise us, it can be hard to stay low and not take the credit! No doubt, finding favor in the eyes of others can feel rewarding, but we must learn to redirect all the glory back to God. Let's not forget--Who created you? Who gave you that ability? Who caused the work of your hands to prosper? So cast that crown at His feet, because He's worthy! We're just fragile jars of clay in the hands of the Potter, but it's HIS glory shining through our vessel that makes us beautiful.