When Your Eyes Stay on Jesus
Well now, friend, come settle yourself in that porch rocker before the breeze carries the newspaper clear into Tennessee. There’s a sheep in the pasture staring at the same fence post like it expects directions, and a red tailed hawk circling overhead with considerably better focus than most of us manage before our second cup of coffee. Which brings us right to the matter.
Where are your eyes?
Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” That there’s mighty important because life can git to scatterin’ our attention quicker than lil’ ol’chickens discoverin’ somebody dropped the feed bucket.
Peter sho’-nuff’ learned that lesson on stormy water. In Matthew 14:29–30, he actually walked toward Jesus until the wind plum grabbed his attention. The storm hadn’t suddenly appeared. What changed was where Peter was lookin’.
Stephen faced somethin’ far worse. Yet Acts 7:55–56 tells us that in the middle of hatred and danger, he looked toward heaven and downright saw Jesus. His circumstances were terrifying, but Christ remained greater than what surrounded him.
That’s the great secret of endurance.
We don’t finish the race by starin’ at every lil’ ol’ pothole, every critic, every disappointment, or every fear. We’ve gotta keep right on lookin’ toward the One who already finished His race faithfully.
And Psalm 25:15 says, “Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.”
Sometimes the answer ain’t found in getting’ a better view of the problem.
It’s found in getting’ your eyes focused right back on Jesus.
Father, when circumstances pull my attention in every direction, turn my eyes back toward You. Help me trust Jesus when the road is difficult, people disappoint me, and my feelings wobble. Give me endurance to keep walking faithfully until I finish the course You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, you’ve gotta be leavin’ off this here porch and git to travelin’ ahead real steady, friend. An ol’ mountain sheep plum gets in trouble when it studies the cliff instead of where it’s gotta be puttin’ its feet. A lil’ ol’ salamander can spend all mornin’ hidin’ beneath one rock and miss the whole sunrise. Don’t let today’s storm become bigger in your sight than your Savior. You’ve gotta be keepin’ your eyes focused on Jesus, keepin’ your feet right on movin’, and lettin’ heaven be worryin’ about the finish line.
With joy,
Gwen
