Where is the joy in their eyes?

I really like riding the MRT (subway system here in Taipei). A lot of the other team members would think I'm crazy for saying this because it is all underground. Part of the reason I like to ride it over the bus is because it is easy, has signs in English and is reliable! But the main reason I like to ride on the MRT is because I can see people better. Most of the time, you have to stand, which provides a better view of people.

And of their eyes.

I like to look into their eyes. I like to imagine that I can hear what they are thinking or feeling at the moment. I've always enjoyed looking into people's eyes, but never so much as today. Maybe enjoy is too strong of a word. I'm not sure I "enjoyed" it today. Because what I saw today was a lack of joy. Not a lack of happiness. There is plenty of that to go around here! But a lack of joy. There is something missing in the eyes of those around me. I've made some friends here who are Christians. One Christian friend in particular stands out to me. Her name is Sweety. She is 30 years old, but I'm pretty sure we will be good friends by the end of this year! Her eyes don't reflect a lack of joy, but rather of immense joy and peace. Even when she is going through a hard time, that same look is in her eyes. And I would imagine, that even when she is crying and hurting, deep inside of her eyes you can still find peace and joy.


This is a picture of Sweety and my team mate Sharon. Can you see the joy in her eyes?

When I looked into the eyes of those on the train with me today, I didn't see any joy in any of their eyes. I actually saw sadness, a sense of meaningless, a sense of having to go to work in order to make ends meet, not a sense of purpose. I saw this same look in young and old alike. There was one person who had some joy in her eyes, but she was only about 4.

What do I do with all of these millions of people that come across my radar? My prayer is two-fold. One, that the love of God will pour out of my own eyes. That they will see something, even in just my eyes, that will make them crave what I have. We saw last night in our Bible study, that we are supposed to live in such a way that our lives are causing the gospel to be attractive to others. And two, that as I continue to ride the MRT every day, that I will have the eyes of Jesus. Not just so that people will see Jesus in me, but also that I will see people the way that Jesus sees them. That I will have a deep sense of love for these people, and that I will go out of my way to show them the love of the Savior. I love Brandon Heath's new song "Give Me Your Eyes"

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see