When drawing a face, the eyes are probably the most important thing to get right. I suppose it's because the eyes are the first things we see when we look at a person or even ourselves in the mirror. Nothing ruins a drawing as much as poorly drawn eyes. I've never met an artist who hasn't had the experience of completing a drawing and thinking, "Man, those eyes spoil everything."
How an eye is drawn is perhaps 60% of the drawing. Eyes are expressive, have plenty of detail, and can be made to look beautiful, confused, upset, etc.
The nose just can't do that. When we look at a person in the eyes, we can tell what they're doing, how they're feeling, and what they're focusing on.
Honestly, I can't draw eyes very well, but on those rare occasions when I feel like I nailed them, I am ecstatic.
When babies are able to focus, the first thing they look at are the eyes. It's just an instinctive thing to focus on. Even with dogs, the eyes and eyebrows are the most important facial features to determine emotion and temperament.
As a runner, I love Heb. 12:1-2, where we are told to "fix our eyes on Jesus." Just like runners in a race are to avoid focusing their attention on the crowds or the obstacles, so believers are to focus their attention on Jesus as the ultimate example of "running life's race." He serves as our ultimate spiritual focal point. This passage reminds us that our spiritual gaze is a matter of life and death when it comes to our perseverance. Similarly, in Matt. 6:22-23 Jesus reminds us that a healthy eye represents a heart focused on God rather than on things. When I ponder such verses as these, I can't help but wonder: Am I single-mindedly pursuing the values of the kingdom of heaven? Am I pedestalizing people I admire and respect over Christ? Does my faith rest on a flawed human messenger rather than on Jesus? Do I look to my peers rather than my God for validation?
Pastors and teachers are guides, not God. We must avoid idolizing them. It's not good for them, and it's not good for the kingdom. God is looking for humble men and women who will serve him faithfully. Part of that service is pointing others to Christ and away from ourselves.
How are your eyes? How are mine?