Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for 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.
Devotion: “O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you 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.”
This hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, is one of my favorites. The words behind it were inspired by Isabella Lilias Trotter, a missionary. As a young girl, she was an exceptionally talented artist. But she wrote, “Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once — art, music, social sciences, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the ‘good’ hiding the ‘best.’” She recognized that often times, the pursuit of our Lord is not stifled by dramatic and terrible things, though there are times where that is the case. Most often in our life, our relationship with God and the calling that He has placed on our life is stunted by other seemingly “good” things.
She went on to say, “Dare to have it out with God… and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory.” This is a big ask. To ask the Lord to search your heart as it says in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” When we ask this, we best be prepared to be smacked on top of the head with all of the ways that we are focused on ourselves. Our schedules, our anxieties, our hobbies. Some of these things are good and some of them are bad. But all of them, when put in the wrong order, take the focus off of Jesus and the pursuit of a life that is honoring to God.
The original words that Trotter wrote to inspire the hymn were, “Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him.” While asking the Lord to shift our focus is a bit daunting, when we seek to bring Him glory in every area of our life, it is a worthwhile endeavor.
Turn your eyes to Jesus, friend. His grace and His glory make the things of this world dim.
Reflect:
- What areas of your life, good or bad, are taking your time and focus away from Jesus?