Fix your eyes upon Jesus

Fix your eyes upon Jesus.

Those words have been running through my head for a couple of weeks now.  It’s sort of become my daily mantra.

I often feel overwhelmed and consumed by various distractions, disturbances and diversions that life throws at me. In those moments it is easy for my focus to shift and I lose sight of what's truly important.  Some days it feels like I've taken my eye off the ball completely, and it ends up smacking me in the face, figuratively speaking of course (although that actually happened in a soccer game at least once).

 

The news these days is filled with so much turmoil; stories about terror, corruption, crime and war.   More often than not, we’re inundated on social media, television and movies with negative, sometimes disturbing, thoughts and images.  Commenters on social media take great delight in the maliciousness of their words and maligning perfect strangers.

 

Distractions.  Disturbances.  Diversions.

Fix your eyes upon Jesus.

I was reminded of the story of Peter when he saw Jesus walking towards him, walking on the water.  It was in the wee hours of the morning and the disciples thought it was a ghostly apparition walking towards them.  It goes without saying that they were terrified.  But then Jesus speaks to them and says “Don’t be afraid!  I’m here!”  Peter puts on a brave front and calls out, “Lord?  If that’s really you, then tell me to come out to you walking on the water.”  And Jesus says, “Come.”

 

Isn’t that always Jesus’ way?  “Come to me.”  Don’t be afraid.  Come. To Me.

Peter starts walking on the water and is actually doing it!   But he gets distracted by the volatility of the wind and the waves and starts focusing on what’s going on around him, instead of keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus.  His focus has shifted and he starts to sink.

Fix your eyes upon Jesus.

When Peter began to sink, Jesus reached out and grabbed him and pulled him up out of the water.   And with what I can only imagine was the gentlest rebuke possible, Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt me?  How little faith you have!”

 

Fix your eyes upon Jesus.

I'm trying, Lord.

Hebrews 12:2 ...And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

 

Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness to see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.