Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
We often sing:
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.
These words, by Helen Lemmel, speak of Scriptures written long ago about our focus in life.
The author of Hebrews writes: “… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:2a ESV).
Other versions refer to Jesus as “author and finisher” (KJV, NKJV, ASV), or “originator and perfecter” (NASV).
My daddy, who grew up on a farm, used the example of a farmer plowing with an old-fashioned hand plow. His rows were straight because he focused on a post or tree in the distance as he plowed instead of looking down at the ground or around at the scenery.
Paul wrote: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2).
Our everyday life has things that distract us; it may be necessities such as our work or family, or being focused on the pleasures of life.
When Matthew tells of Peter walking on the water, he writes: “… So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Mt 14:29-30).
Look at what Matthew says:
1. Peter asked to go to Jesus (Mt 14:28).
2. Peter got out of the boat (Mt 14:29).
3. Peter walked on water (Mt 14:29).
4. Then, Peter began looking around at the storm… the winds and waves… became afraid… and began to sink (Mt 14:30).
Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began watching the storm. That is when he had a problem.
We do the same thing when we encounter the difficulties of life, whether it is relationships, finances, health, or something else. That’s what delights the evil one— for us to forget that Jesus is our Rock.
David wrote: For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Ps 62:1-2).
Back to Peter: the verses following his cry for help tell us that Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter and together they went back to the boat. This means Peter walked on water a second time… with Jesus at his side. Redemption does this for us when we look to Jesus as Peter did.
Jesus does the same for us when we look to Him.
There is a common quotation that gives me peace about the storms of life:
“Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child.”
When we focus on Jesus, trusting Him to keep His promises and always be with us, the storms of life have less power over us.
Long ago Moses wrote: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Dt 31:6).
Isaiah restated that promise in different words:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isa 43:1b-3a)
Fixing our eyes on Jesus means we look for Him in the everyday events of life, and seek to do His will. It means trusting He intercedes for me when I don’t know how to pray, when life tumbles in and the words will not come.
The question I ask is: In my life, what keeps me from focusing on Jesus, my Redeemer?