That Shiny New Thing
Fix Your Eyes On Jesus
"Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith . . . " Hebrews
12:1-2 (NASB).
"What was that flash?" I looked around, but I didn't see anything.
Then it happened again. "What is that?" I still didn't see anything. I
refocused my attention, "I'm trying to read my Bible!" I read some
more, but it happened again. Only this time, the flashing was persistent.
"What in the world is going on?" I looked around the room. Nothing.
Then I glanced out the window and discovered the neighbor across the street had
put a large metallic pinwheel in his yard. Because it was a windy, sunny day, it
shone and flashed in a strobe-like effect, directly into our front window,
disturbing my quiet-time! (I guess I'm easily distracted.)
As I continued reading, trying to ignore my keen peripheral vision, it reminded
me of a spiritual truth, that is, how easily I can become distracted by
"shiny things" in my life—some good, some not-so-good—and take my
eyes off of Jesus as a result. Can you relate? When I was younger, I suppose the
shiny new things that tended to distract me were mostly external, such as the
getting of things and of having relationships: a house, a new car, finding a
husband, having children, etc. And of course then the daily concerns of raising
those children and maintaining a healthy relationship with them and my husband.
But now that I'm older, more often than not, it's not things that distract me;
it's worry, and I'm not proud of that. I worry about the health of my husband,
Bob; he has a traumatic brain injury. I worry about my health; what if I get
sick, who will take care of Bob? I worry about my adult children's faith. I
worry about our medical bills. I worry about my work. I worry about the future.
I worry that I worry too much! (yikes!)
Yes, I know the Scripture, "Do not worry; be anxious for nothing." I
believe it! I teach it! Yet, I find my spiritual peripheral vision is
distracted. Like Peter, who walked on water, and then sank when he took his eyes
off Jesus, I often find myself in the same boat, or as it were, out of the boat
and under water!
As that pinwheel spun and flashed in my window, I prayed once again for God to
refocus my attention and to help me look to him; to cast my cares on him, to
trust him to be in control (clearly that is my problem, wanting to control
things that are out of my control!). I want to once again fix my eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrew 12:2).
What a beautiful promise! Jesus has written my story; he is in the process of
perfecting me! I am so grateful that the Lord doesn't count my sins against me.
I am so privileged to have the Scriptures to guide me, and to be reminded that
Jesus doesn't give up on me!
Prayer
Dear God, help me to trust you, and to keep my eyes on you, so as not to be
distracted by shiny new things (or worries). Lord, I welcome you to accomplish
your purpose in and through my life. Amen.
Copyright 2016 Sarah A. Keith
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