Turning My Eyes

This morning, I was talking to God about everything that’s been on my mind over the past few days, weeks, months. It’s not a surprise to Him seeing as He knows all my thoughts, but I believe God likes hearing from His kids. I talk with my Heavenly Father about big things, small things, and things that probably would seem silly to others. When Samuel is sleeping and the house is quiet, I love spending time chatting with God.

This morning, I was reminded of a little song I used to sing as a kid. It felt like He had placed it back into my mind just when I needed it most. The chorus goes like this:

“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.”

It hit me right away–my eyes have been on the things of earth. As much as I say my eyes are on Jesus, I’m reminded that those same very eyes have had blinders on them, focused on all that the world is doing/saying.

Facebook is a never-ending stream of news, controversy, and opinions being thrown your way. It can make you feel like you’re drowning in it. Turn on the news for five minutes, and you’ll be guaranteed a negative mindset, horrific stories, and quite possibly anxiety and depression, too.

It’s easy to make excuses like “Well, I need to stay informed!” or “We can’t just ignore what’s happening”, and while those are true in some respects, I believe that our access to information, opinions, news, etc can very easily distract us from keeping our eyes on Jesus.

In Colossians 3, we’re told to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Our minds and our souls are meant to be focused on eternity. We so easily get fixated on this life: the community we’re in, the opinions of others, the government’s decisions, our politicians, what so-and-so said, etc., when we have been told to keep our minds on eternity.

This is our temporary home—it’s not eternity. Don’t get the two confused. This is not your final destination, but rather the short journey through this life into the next. This sinful world will someday pass away, but our relationship with the Saviour will be what determines our eternity.

Turn your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him. Don’t let the world distract you and put blinders on you. And as my mama would say, “For Heaven’s sake, stay off Facebook.”