“Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of the Israelites” (Revelation 7:4, CEB).

     One of my daughter’s best friends is Gurneet. Gurneet’s parents are from India. Many Indian women are known to wear a bindi. Bindi comes from a word in Sanskrit which means drop. A bindi looks as though a drop of ink has been placed in the middle of one’s forehead.

     I once asked Gurneet about the significance of the bindi. What she told me was fascinating. For some, the bindi is a symbol of style. Theologically, the mark is known as the “third eye.”

     Just as our two physical eyes observe the outside world, the third eye sees the world within. The third eye allows persons to better perceive themselves and the circumstances they face with greater wisdom. The third eye grants one a higher capacity to discern and make sound choices.

     Whenever I read the seventh chapter of Revelation, the seal placed on the foreheads of the 144,000 persons resembles in my mind the marking of a bindi. The seal identifies such individuals as members of God’s fold. Moreover, the New Testament describes the seal as the person of the Holy Spirit given to those who believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:6).

     As our Counselor and Guide, the Holy Spirit grants us the ability to think rationally, put matters into context, and understand what is and what is not important. In a world that too often defaults to binary thinking, the Holy Spirit enables us to process information more critically. The complexities and nuances of life require of us a greater level of discernment.

     The Holy Spirit helps us to better understand ourselves and the people around us. The Holy Spirit also grants us the spiritual ability to recognize that things are not always as they appear. What our culture calls good, God may deem as wrong. What pleases God, society may view as ridiculous. As our third eye, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to see the world from the vantage point of heaven.

     So, as you move throughout this day, I offer you the following prayer for guidance:
 

Come, Holy Spirit, place the seal of your presence
upon me. Open my eyes to understand the actions
of those around me. Help me to better identify
any unhealthy emotions that are aroused within me.
And grant me the grace to wisely assess
the opportunities that arise before me.
Through the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.