Fix Your Eyes
Hello Friends,
My how things can change in a matter of weeks. Lets do a quick recap. Since my last post, our world has been gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the home isolation of the majority of U.S residents. We have sped through a quarter of the year and we are now at Holy Weekend...ready to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Coincidentally, I too have been isolated within my home, though not initially due to the pandemic.
I had my baby boy!
Yes we brought the eighth member of our family home back in February, and we couldn't be more ecstatic to have him here. I am now currently in what I like to call the #TheFirst90 or the first 90 days after having a baby. Never could I have imagined that my family would be dealing with a pandemic while also adjusting to being an earthly family of eight. While I rejoice at the birth of a much-prayed for much-loved son, I can not deny that the darker aspects of postpartum life are a constant threat. The Enemy never ceases to look for opportunities to strike, and it is all too easy these days to feel overwhelmed by it all.
In this time, I have come to rely heavily on the Lord. I believe He is moving through all that is going on right now. I find that I am being constantly reminded to refocus on Him when my heart grows anxious. We are all fighting unique battles within the overall climate of uncertainty in our world today. Take heart, we know who will win the war.
This Resurrection Weekend, I would like to give you a few verses that I am desperately clinging to. And trust me when I say "desperately", because I mean I am SERIOUSLY clinging...just like clawing at the hem of Jesus' robe....in the desert.....parched...no water...no Chapstick....in need of Living Water...kind of desperate. See what I'm saying?
Check these verses out.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 12:1-2 ESV
"But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!"
Psalm 141:8 ESV
"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us."
Psalm 123:2 ESV
"My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net."
Psalm 25:1 ESV
That David sure did know a thing or two about focusing on God, right? As a young ruler, David was always in some sort of trouble. One can imagine all of the things this guy had to deal with. War, treachery, the demands and pressures that come with ruling a nation, no AC...not to mention the personal sins he was dealing with! David really wanted to be the ruler God expected him to be, and he knew that he couldn't do it alone. I love how David has no issues crying out to God. He openly and often asks for help and for the Lord to redirect his focus at all times. The Book of Psalms is filled with David seeking God through the good times and the bad times.
So what are you looking at these days?
Where is your head at?
Are you checking the news 3-4 times a day, increasing feelings of fear and anxiety? (Um...I am.) Are you continually distracted by social media as insecurity and discontent bubble up inside of you? (Yea. Me.) Or maybe you are looking at WebMd trying to "check the statistics" on whatever diagnosis the doctor just gave you. (Again, that is so me.) Imagine the peace you...WE...could have if our eyes dwelled on the Word of God rather than on things that wont help us at all?
And you know what? The Bible says that if we focus on the Lord He will not forsake us! He is the only one who can generate change in each of our circumstances.
Remember:
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
Malachi 3:6 ESV
We are not consumed.
Peace. Understanding. Hope. These are the intangible things that only God can give. Paul said that as Christians we should set our eyes "on things unseen" (2 Cor. 4:17-18). I'm right here with you friend. Like I said before, I am at an intense period in my own life and my thoughts often go down the wrooooong rabbit holes. I need to be replacing those thoughts with what God says... and you do too friend.
There is no better time than Resurrection Weekend to flip the switch and refocus our eyes, minds and hearts on Jesus. I pray that we are all able to take some time this weekend to open up our Bibles and read the truths of God's faithfulness written in the pages. Be encouraged. May God's grace and goodness be with you all, and have a blessed Easter Weekend.
