“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

I remember growing up in Trinidad, where our weekends were sometimes spent at the beach with family and friends, enjoying the sand and sea. Back then, everything was fun for us kids, and the danger that the sea presented didn’t really register to our young minds. The grownups however, kept a watchful eye on us from their perch on the shore, letting us use a post or something else as a marker so we wouldn’t drift too far off. But drift we always did.

What always surprised me was that, we never felt ourselves drifting; and always believed that we were in the same place as when we first went into the water. That’s until we looked up again and realized that our folks were now a little farther up the beach. Had they moved? Nope, they were right where we left them. We were the ones who had drifted without realizing it.

Isn’t that just like us as Christians sometimes in our daily walk with the Lord? There we are going about our business: working, taking care of our families, being active in ministry at church; yet when we look around for Jesus, how close are we to Him? And isn’t it also true that many times we don’t even realize that we’re the ones who drifted? We can feel that something’s not right, but figure that it’s just, the family’s position on the beach that has changed, not ours. When actually we’re the ones who took our eyes off of Jesus and are no longer where we used to be.

Remember the story of Peter and his attempt to walk on water? That story started on such a positive note; but it went downhill pretty quickly. Peter’s faith had been all fired up when he saw Jesus walking on the water towards him and the other disciples, and couldn’t wait to do the same.              ²⁸“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”                    ²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.      ³⁰ “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”         ³¹ “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Notice exactly when things began to go sideways for Peter. He was doing fine as long as he kept his gaze fixed forward. He probably even got a few steps in too. But as soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus and began paying attention to the howling wind and inky black sea around him, he quickly became afraid.

What have you been focusing on lately, for so long that you’ve inadvertently started drifting? The sickness of a friend or family member? The child that breaks your heart and keeps you up at night? The fear that you won’t have enough money to pay your bills on time? There will always be trials and testing in this life; but what we do when they come is key to our peace of mind.

Dwelling on them constantly, and living in a state of angst twenty-four seven is not healthy for our mind, body or spirit, nor does it produce any helpful results. We need to shift our eyes back to Jesus and away from the howling winds and inky black sea.

Our focus on Him and His Word is what will keep us from going under. Focus on His goodness and faithfulness in our lives every, single day; focus on His love, mercy and grace, and all the wonderful things He’s already done for us in the past. And as we do, we give Him the glory, honor and praise because He is worthy.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace 🌹