Keep Eyes Focused Straight Ahead
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
-- Proverbs 4:25-27
In the Deep South we learn early to look down while we walk, especially during late spring, summer and early fall. You never know when one of those “sticks” will start moving and snakes can be deadly.
That’s great advice for navigating our region safely but it can create bad habits when it comes to living our lives. When we spend all our time looking down, we lose sight of what’s ahead.
Look around you. There are probably some wonderful things going on in your life. We always have blessings, even when circumstances keep us from noticing them right away. Some seasons of life keep us focused on what’s wrong and we miss those blessings that are right before us.
When we look down, we see our immediate circumstances. We see unpaid bills, health problems, family strife, uncertain job prospects, even the laundry waiting to be done. We worry so much about what’s happening right now that we lose sight of Jesus. We lose sight of hope.
What’s important? Family and friends. People. Living as Jesus would have us live. Doing good where we can, however we can. Staying focused on what lies ahead, on the eternal life that awaits us at the end of the journey.
It isn’t always an easy journey. We want to believe that somehow as followers of Jesus we should be immune to the stresses of daily life. Where did we ever get that idea? The Bible clearly tells us that we will suffer. It also tells us we will never walk alone. He will never leave us.
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” -- John 10:35-36a
The light lies straight ahead. You see it when you focus forward rather than downward. We don’t always see where we’re going but we don’t need to. All we have to do is follow the light and Jesus will lead us along the right path and on in to eternity with Him.
The road on this earth is rocky and filled with stumbling blocks. Resist the urge to linger on your worries and turn instead to Jesus. Trust Him to lead you home.
No comments:
Post a Comment