Taking a deep breath, I absorbed the words the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart. Peace washed over as I heard this familiar phrase.
“Eyes on me.”
I remember the first time I heard these words. I was watching a movie about a teacher whose students weren’t listening. Snaping her fingers, she emphatically said, “eyes on me! Eyes on me!”
That day, this phrase spoke to my heart. Today, it continues to speak to me each time I am tempted to get my eyes off God and on to the circumstances.
We are all tempted to place our eyes on the mountains that loom before us from time to time. Some days the challenges we face seem to be so big, we can’t see anything else. It is vital in those times that we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
In our world today there is so much chaos and disturbance – so much evil. It is easy for us to take our eyes off God and focus on the problems demanding our attention. In seasons such as these, we often need a daily reminder to keep our eyes on God.
That’s never easy, especially when chaotic winds are blowing. Peter knew this truth well.
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:28-31)
Peter was walking on water, just like Jesus.
Take a moment and think on that. Can you imagine? Walking ON water.
When he took his eyes off Jesus, diverting them to the boisterous winds, he became afraid. Fear consumed him and he began to sink. Have you ever been there? I know I have.
Yet, moments before, with his eyes firmly focused on Jesus, he was walking on water.
He was unsinkable as long as his eyes were on Jesus.
We too can be unsinkable; one thing is required.
We must be diligent to keep our eyes on God and His Word–regardless of what tumultuous winds are blowing around us.
This week I have purposed in my heart to daily keep my eyes on God. On Jesus. On His Word. Sure, there are times other things demand my attention – but I know from where my help comes – I will keep my eyes on Him. You too can do the same thing.
Situations may demand your attention. People may command your focus. The winds of chaos may be swirling all around you. Refuse to focus on those things – keep your eyes firmly on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2).
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Is 26:3).
Peace is not only a lack of fear – no, but also much more. Peace, or shalom, is nothing broken, nothing missing, completeness. That’s what God wants for you and I. Perfect peace. We find that by looking into His face continually. May God help us to keep our mind, our thoughts and our heart stayed continually upon Him. He is our peace.
