There is an interesting directive given in the bible that is not commonly
heard today. In several instances believers are called to “fix their eyes”
on something or someone. Here are three examples:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what
is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2nd Corinthians
4:16-18
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not
give me over to death. – Psalm 141:8
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy
set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
When was the last time someone told you to fix your eyes on something? If
it has happened at all it is because they don’t want you to miss something
important, like a fine detail of what you are looking at. In the Bible the
call to “fix our eyes” usually comes because the writer is indicating that
we are likely to miss something really important. In the verse from 2nd
Corinthians we are encouraged to focus on the eternal so that we might be
encouraged and praise-filled in the midst of our troubles. In Psalm 141 the
writer will not take his eyes off of God, his hope and his refuge in a time
of danger. Then, in the second chapter of Hebrews we are called to fix our
eyes on Jesus so that we may consider His example and find strength and
determination to persevere. Imagine the cost of missing an uplifting “view”
of eternity, or a comforting gaze upon God or a rally cry to commit
ourselves with earnestness to the life Jesus has called us to. How much
would be lost?
But why did God inspire these writers to use such strong wording like
“fixing” our eyes? It is indeed because He did not want us to miss the
blessing of considering these things. I also believe it is because He knew
it would be easy for us to fix our eyes on something else, like our light
and momentary troubles, or that which makes us afraid, or the very
difficulties that are impeding our walk with God. As strange as it may seem,
it is “easier” to fix our eyes on these things. To stare straight at them
and lock our eyes upon them until we are filled with anxiety, fear, and
despair.
So my question is what do you fix your eyes on each week? Are there things
in your life which just absolutely hold your gaze and which you soak in that
are of no help to you, and perhaps worse, are detrimental? Maybe there is
nothing that you are fixed upon that quite fits that description, but maybe
you are just fixed on everything. I know that doesn’t make any sense – how
can someone fix their eyes on everything, but what I am really referring to
is being so taken up with life that you rarely fix your eyes upon Jesus,
your very Lord and Savior. I know devotionals like this one can be
convicting because I am not just calling us to fix our eyes on a devotional
for ten minutes or to listen to a sermon while attending to twenty other
things, but to actually fix our eyes on Jesus – to look upon Him and all
that He is and to not look to the left or the right or to just catch a
glimpse of Him in our rear-view mirror or while doing a drive-by-viewing.
There are important things that God want us to see and they are very
important and not to be missed. To miss them is to miss things of great
value that will bless us and build up our faith. This is a hard teaching for
us today because we are so quick to fix our eyes on everything and give many
minutes, and sometimes hours to locking our eyes on things that actually
obscure our view of the eternal. Now I always feel like I have to put a
disclaimer in when I address such a topic by writing something like, “But
those things aren’t inherently bad as long as….” Do you know how I am going
to finish that sentence? It usually ends with, “As long as you are making
time for God.” Isn’t that a strange phrase? “Making time for God”? Are we
making time for Him, the One who made all time?
So, how should you respond to this blog? Well if you are convicted by it,
please don’t start making resolutions about how you are going to make time
for God. Instead, may I suggest that you ask God to search you and show you
what is in your heart about Him. A lot of times when we find that we are
fixing our eyes on everything besides Him it is because in our hearts we
find Him much less interesting and attractive than the many other things in
our life. Or we say, “I just don’t have “time” for God.” Just consider that
sentence for a moment. Fix your eyes upon it. Should that ever be true of
us?
Beloved, we all have this struggle. We all fix our eyes on everything more
often than we would care to admit. God forgive us. Let each one of us take
some time and ask God to search us and know us and show us why our hearts
are so given to so many things that we practically squeeze Him out of our
lives. Let’s ask Him to work in us so that we would joyfully and with great
anticipation fix your eyes on Him each day.
So, when was the last time someone asked you to fix your eyes on something
or someone?
Ten seconds ago….
For Him,