Paul's common preface that he used in his epistles are prayer requests for the awareness of his readers to be increased ("that God would grant you the spirit of wisdom and understanding, or revelation" Ephesians 1:17). This request seems to mirror Elisha's 🪞 request for God to "open the eyes (awareness) of His servant." (2 Kings 6)
This increase of awareness caused the servant to perceive the existence, reality, and power of good (Love, Peace, God, and Beauty). He became aware that the benevolence that is present, yet often imperceptible, greatly outnumbers anything that attempts to incite fear within us. This increased awareness did not create this truth, it only revealed the truth that existed already - Good, light, and love dominate over fear and darkness. They always have and always will.
However, our experience of reality depends upon our perception of it. This is what Jesus, Paul, and Elisha wanted people to awaken to; for our awareness to open up and see the kingdom of Heaven, love, and beauty around us right now. To see that other heavenly realities exist now. "Angels", or imperceptible higher benevolent beings, are with us and around us. Things that are beyond our current imaginations and perceptibilities, exist now.
If we can't see it, if we aren't experiencing it, if we still worry too much and experience love, peace, and joy too little, then simply recognize that we are still limited in our sight (perceptions and awareness). And let's ask God to help fulfill in us what Jesus, Elisha, and Paul have already prayed for us: That our eyes would be opened. That we would become aware of our unity with God and each other (John 17). That we would grow in our skills of perception so that we can see love over fear, trust over worry, good more than bad, and light within the darkness. That we would see our enemies as brothers and sisters whom we love. May we see our difficulties as opportunities to watch faith and love do its work. That the troubles that others experience would be seen as opportunities for us to show our love, by stopping to offer a hand or a prayer of compassion. May our eyes of awareness be opened. We cannot stare at both the light and the darkness. Look toward the light, and allow the darkness to simply become the necessary contrast which creates the outline for beauty to be seen.
Blessed (able to perceive and live a heavenly experience) are the ones who purify their hearts, removing fear, judgment, anger, and the like, from their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. These ones will begin to see God everywhere, and in all things.
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