Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil.
Song 4:1a NKJV
FIND MY EYES
“I can see with my extraordinary vision what you’re doing, so behave,” I said to the children as they lined up for recess.
“You can’t see me,” Timmy* teased.
“Can too. I see everything you’re doing. Right now, you’re pushing Elaine*.”
Stevie* tugged on my sleeve, “Mrs. C, how’d you know that?”
“I have extra eyes on the back of my head. Betcha can’t find them.”
The children immediately tussled my hair, searching for my “extra eyes.”
Finally, the children reformed their line, and we went to recess, every child giggling. There they created imaginary scenarios about extra eyes.
When they lined back up, they told me they concluded that we all had invisible eyes on the backs of our heads.
LESSONS FROM THE ROCK DOVE
This experience with the children got me thinking. What if we really could see behind our backs?
OUTWARD FOCUS
Did you know the rock dove has what is called, monocular vision, which enables them a 340-degree view of their world? This means they can literally see behind their heads! Any bird with eyes on the sides of their heads has this capability.
FLEE ENTRAPMENTS
Rock doves use this special ability to spot their predators. It’s tough to sneak up on a dove! Before an intruder comes remotely close, they fly away. With this panoramic vision, they can’t not see someone!
From the rock dove’s example, we can learn to be watchful and flee from sin. The rock dove doesn’t let a predator attack; neither should we let sin entrap us.
BE A COMPASSIONATE HARVESTER
We also learn compassion from the dove. If a friend loses their way, we are to be ready to assist, helping them to bring their needs to Jesus.
Every. Soul. Matters.
Beloved Jesus puts it this way, “‘I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 NKJV). He reminds us to be mission-minded, saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15b NKJV).
WORK THE MINISTRY FIELDS
In our bridal Song, He sends us to work the mission field.
We are spiritual fruit checkers, saying, “Come, my Beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards to see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grapes appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves” (Song 7:11a, 12b KJV).
We entrust each person—each “love”—to Beloved’s care, facilitating their healing as He directs.
We check for spiritual growth early, and often.
He gives us a heart for souls. Soul harvesters initiate ministry calls before being asked. We are eager to serve Him.
INWARD FOCUS
Contrast doves’ ocular vision to the binocular vision humans have. Our eyes are not on the sides of our heads—rather, our eyes are forward-facing. This enables us to focus, judge distances, and discern minute details with ease.
Interestingly, rock doves also have this binocular vision, but theirs is restricted to a very narrow channel. Thus, they can only focus on whatever is directly in front of them such as food, younglings, or—most importantly, their mate.
When a rock dove uses its binocular vision, it bob’s its head in an effort to refocus. When their mate captures their attention, they coo and bob in a delightful dance. They are silly in love! We can’t help but notice!
CULTIVATE PRAYER
From this example, we learn to focus on our Beloved Jesus Christ with rapt attention. As we tuck into our secluded prayer garden, He fills us with His Spirit. By cultivating this Spirit-to-spirit connection, we become effective ministers, eager to reach people for Christ.
Prayer must become a regular habit if we are to give Beloved the time He needs to refine the anointing He places within us. But, let’s come into his presence just because we love Him! Let’s be silly in love, unashamed that Beloved Jesus is our top priority.
BE LIKE THE ROCK DOVE
By observing the rock dove, we learn how to cultivate an extraordinary vision. Beloved offers us “dove’s eyes.” But, choosing to foster this gift is ours alone.
This day, let’s choose both monocular and binocular spiritual vision. With these we can:
- Focus outwardly, fleeing sin’s enticements while influencing people for Christ.
- Focus inwardly, making prayer to Beloved Jesus Christ our first priority.
These are the lessons we learn from the rock dove.
Have you made the choice to cultivate an extraordinary spiritual vision?
My Beloved Jesus, thank You for giving me “dove’s eyes.” Give me wisdom to avoid sin’s enticements, compassion for those You entrust to my care, and passion to prioritize my relationship with You.
Your Bride,
Love
Genre: Anecdotal Story—Creative Non-fiction; Body—Non-fiction
