It was one of those weeks that seemed impossibly busy. Deadlines, events, and meetings filled nearly every moment of my schedule and I found myself bouncing from one thing to another.  Sitting at a coffee shop late in the week, I my heart felt weary and longed to simply sit in His presence. Setting aside emails, to-do lists, and projects, I quieted my heart and listened for that still, small voice.

I sensed the Lord leading me to Song of Songs 4:1:

Behold, you are beautiful, my love,
behold, you are beautiful!
Your eyes are doves
behind your veil.

My heart was hit deeply as I read this passage, particularly the description of dove’s eyes.  Dove’s eyes are fixed. They are focused solely on what is directly in front of them. Unable to look to the right or to the left, doves are aware only of what lies before them. This passage places significant value and importance on having a heart posture like the vision of a dove: fixed, focused. When we focus the meditation of our hearts and our thoughts on the Lord, His beauty and glory captivate our hearts. It is this singleness in vision that we are called to, Dear Saints. A heart that is fixed and focused on the Lord perceives His Beauty and Holiness in even the most mundane of moments. Prayer and worship automatically overflow from a heart whose gaze is fixed on King of Splendor.  

It is important to know and consider, though, that this singleness in vision does not mean that we remain ignorant of what is going on around us, ignoring responsibilities, opportunities, or relationships. Rather, a focused heart maintains communion with the Lord through every moment, choosing to seek and pursue His Kingdom (Matt 6:33) (Ps 1:1-3).  This allows us to be productive, proactive, and caring while protecting and deepening our relationship with God through the big and small moments of life.

So begin to seek the Lord with a singleness in vision. Do not allow for concerns or distractions to pull your attention, focus, and devotion away from our King. Rather, Dear Saints, may you have dove’s eyes. May you perceive and pursue the King in all of his Beauty, Majesty, Wisdom and Grace.