Eyes.
They are the doorway to our hearts…the gateway to our soul.
What we focus on will effect the direction of our life. I’m sure you’ve had a parent, a teacher, a coach or wise counselor tell you, “Whatever you aim for, you’re going to hit.” It’s true! Whether you enjoy target shooting, throwing a baseball, riding a horse or trying to achieve some lofty dream, if you keep your focus there, you’re bound to hit it, or at least get super close.
What are you looking at? What has your focus?
And more importantly, is your target bringing you peace? Is it bringing you greater love? Is it bringing you deep joy? Do you radiate light?
It can. But you might have to adjust your target.
I was listening to a podcast by Levi Lusko with Fresh Life Church not too long ago. He quoted something that stuck to me like peanut butter on the roof of a dog’s mouth. I keep licking and licking and licking it!! How’s that for an image. Hahaha!! But, truly, I keep thinking about it, because it’s powerful! I had to share it with you…
When you look inside (at your faults, failures, past hurts, etc) you’ll get depressed.
When you look outside (at the world around you) you’ll get distressed.
But, when you look up, you’ll be at REST.
What’s keeping you from rest? What’s distracting you from looking up to see the Son? What is clouding out the Light?
Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear
your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will
be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23)
I don’t like darkness. It’s cold. It’s lonely. It’s heavy.
Are you feeling depressed? Are you anxious and distressed? Ask yourself, what are you looking at?
When you feel depressed because darkness has crept in, you aren’t able to see the beauty in the world around you or the gifts God has given you because you are only focused on what’s wrong, the things you don’t have, the things you wish were different or the things that have been done to you. There is no light or goodness within us apart from God so looking in only keeps us from understanding the grace and love of God. But there is hope.
When you feel anxious and distressed looking at the world, you start reacting with anger and in fear, instead of with grace and hope. You’ll say things or do things you regret because you don’t pause to respond. You’ll be constantly disappointed in others because no one can meet your expectations or needs. You’ll get caught up in a cycle of spinning and running and doing without stopping to consider your ways and end up tired and spent with nothing left to give. You become consumed with the world and all the darkness around you which only leaves you more stressed and full of worry. There is no light in the world apart from God. Therefore, looking at the world blinds us to the hope and sovereignty of God. But there is hope.
I’ve been in these places. I daily dip into these places! It’s a constant fight. The enemy wants our eyes to be on ANYthing but our Savior and Shepherd. He wants us distracted and full of fear, turmoil and stress. It ruins us and He knows it. It blocks the Light of the World from radiating in our lives. It blocks the warmth of His love.
The enemy knows when we look up, we will find hope, rest, clarity, peace, joy, love, grace, and the eyes of a loving Father who wants to scoop us up and carry us. He knows the darkness within us will flee as we set our affections on the things above. He knows that Jesus will be seen through our lives as we extend love, emulate peace, live out joy in darkness and have hope amidst the heartache of this world. And He’s striving to keep that from happening. Don’t let him win.
Our Savior’s eyes are looking for you…He is waiting for you to look up so He can fill you with light. Look up.
“For the eyes of the Lord look to and fro throughout the earth
that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His
11 Chronicles 16:9
Where you look is where your heart is. Where your heart is, is where your treasure is. I’m praying that you invest your treasure in seeking, pursuing and aiming your life towards the Light of the World…your Heavenly Father who loves you, who created you for His glory and purpose and who desires to transform your life into something beautiful when you simply look up. Don’t let the enemy distract you and keep you in darkness. Look to the Son and let your life be filled with His light, His glory, His grace, His redeeming love, His purity and hope. He died to give you a new life! There is nothing you have done that could keep Him away from you. He is a loving Father looking for you, waiting to RUN down the road to meet you, to wrap you in His robes of righteousness and prepare a feast for you. But you must turn around and look towards home. He is waiting.
That’s all we need. Give me Jesus.
Amen!
Hi Jessica, your blog is so inspiring. I love the way you speak about the Lord. You glorify Him in what you do. I am blessed that He led me to you. I am retired and love art, beautiful things, and baking. I am new at cake decorating and was searching for where I can learn the ropes. And, God led me to you. I enrolled in your Craftsy class. You are an inspiration and your cakes are breathtaking. I hope I will be able to decorate cakes as beautifully as you do. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. You truly serve and magnify the Lord. God bless you.
Oh I can feel the love you have for our Savior in your comments. May He bless the work of your hands and be glorified in all you do. Thank you so much for your heart of thanks and encouragement in your comment. Many many blessings to you!! xo!