But we see Jesus ...

But we see Jesus ...
June 5, 1998

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector (Finisher) of our faith ... Hebrews 12:2

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18

We live by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

The world is filled with images, temporal things that will pass away.  But very appealing things to our eyes.  Other images bring sorrow, pain, frustration, anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy, and other negative emotions.  All these images vie for our attention, occupy our time, our thoughts.  Will we be taken in by the whims and fancy of our eyes as we decide about our choices to look, watch, gaze, etc.?

Our experiences are much the same; some bring joy, some pain, some anxiety - the whole gamut of emotions.  Often we allow our experiences to dominate our thoughts, our motives, our attitudes, our time, our lives.  We have no ability to change our past, but we do have the choice about how we view it.

This morning I was trying to pray, read the Bible, meditate, and my mind continued wandering back to a TV show my wife was watching last night.  I sat down and watched with her for a while.  For me it was a poor choice.  Even as I sit here this afternoon, some of those images try to come back to haunt me.  I sought God to cleanse and renew my mind, but I needed a new focus.  God brought some of the above Scriptures to my mind.

“I cannot keep a bird from flying over my head, but I can keep it from nesting in my hair.”
Attributed to Martin Luther

My mind is undisciplined, but with the help of the Lord, it can become disciplined, a fit vessel for our Lord.  Our thought life is our choice.  I am seeking in my life to see Jesus.  To fix my gaze on Him is my goal; not on my circumstances, not on the whims of my eyes, not on my past or my future, not on my pain or my joys ... just Jesus Christ.  I want to set my heart and mind on things above, to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, ...

Will you join me?

Lord Jesus, forgive my undisciplined mind and heart.  Cleanse me.  Renew me.  Renew my mind in your image.  Let me see only you.  When I look at my circumstances, other people, my past, my recurring sin, or any other thing, let me see them through your eyes, from your perspective.  Then let me bring them to you, relinquish them, and allow you to accomplish the work and growth you desire in my life.  Thanks for your faithfulness.