Fixed On Jesus

Distractions. Noise. Pressure.  We long for a quiet nook in order to tuck ourselves away from the constant movement, the chaotic coming and going.  Just for a moment, we plead for a silent escape.  Somewhere we can hide, close our eyes, and be safe from the storm of life swirling around us.

How can we purify our vision when our senses are on overload?  How can we walk through this world and NOT be impacted by the constant push and pull, the shattering desires cast out to the flesh, the incessant beating down of our souls?

In all the questions, I hear Him answer.  He beckons us to look.  He calls to us, gently whispering in the chaos of this world, “Fix your eyes on Me.”  When we long for an escape, He says, “I am your escape.  Look at Me.”  In the middle of the noise, He is visible.  It’s not about where we are standing, what we are doing, or all the things surrounding us.  It is about a choice of focus.  We have been given the Holy Spirit, and that Spirit moves and changes us.  He calls us to see past the distractions and to discipline ourselves in the goodness and grace of all He is.  Our Creator.  Our Savior.  Our Comforter.

The author in the book of Hebrews spends all of chapter eleven giving example after example of men and women who were in the middle of chaos.  Yet in the midst of such hard times they came through with faith strengthened and vision purified!  He says of these beautiful examples of faith: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:1-3).

And there it is, our escape is found.  Our hope in the midst of raging seas is Jesus, He whom the winds and waves obey.  We fix our eyes on Jesus.  For when we consider Jesus, it is only then that “we do not grow weary and lose heart.”

No matter what threatens to cloud our view, if our gaze is fixed on Him, the clouds of life become but a breath of fresh air when they rest in the hands of our Creator.

As we challenge ourselves to “purify our vision”, as we let go of the sinful sights the world has to offer, let us do so by embracing anew the view of Jesus.

Today’s Challenge:  Continue yesterday’s challenge to become more mindful of your surroundings.   Choose a place for your phone to stay for certain parts of your day.  Start a new normal where instead of reaching for your phone, reach out to God in prayer.  Rather than scrolling through your favorite sites, let your eyes take in the scenes around you.  God’s glory is reflected in every direction.  Rest in your ordinary, daily moments.  Don’t try to fill them with entertainment, email, texts, or social media. Breathe deep and see His goodness.