Obvious?

It is easy to think that you can believe your eyes.  India tells me nothing is as simple or as complex as it seems.  Everything may seem chaotic, often totally out of control.  Yet people live and more than survive actually seem to thrive.  My proof statement to this is statement is the fact that one finds eyes of hope everywhere you look.  Are things terrible?  Yes, as painful and difficult as anywhere in the world.  Is there reason to despair?  Yes, as many as one could possibly imagine.  Are there extreme cases of injustice?  Absolutely, just be aware and you will be overwhelmed.  Yet it is the hope filled eyes that keeps bringing me back.  This isn’t obvious, like many important things in life.
 
I wonder if I am open to the hidden things of life.  Most people miss the eyes of hope I find in India.  Others find themselves overwhelmed by the senses.  Yet the paradox exists in London as easily as it does in India, in our relationships with Divinity as easily as in our relationships with each other.  I see a pattern which existed through centuries.  Jesus turned to his disciples and “announced, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.  I'm going to wake him up.’”  (John 11.11)  Did they understand his words?  Not a chance?  Do I understand the messages God leaves at your doorstep and mine?  Not usually.  The signs around us could be blatant and obvious, yet if they do not fit within my preconceived paradigm I miss them.
 
If you are unsure of your confusion or mine think of the following God statements.
 
You are beautiful.
 
You are a child of God’s.
 
God is within you.
 
You are priceless to God.
 
You have God’s love; it cannot be earned or destroyed.  It was, is, and will be yours.
 
These facts are not obvious.  Even when I hear them I find it hard to believe.  Yet when I turn and realize God’s eyes of hope, everything in life changes.  Today is one with God.  Everything is possible.  Hope abounds, endlessly.