What are your eyes and your thoughts fixed upon? To where or on whom do you spend most of your time transfixed or worried as you assess the best path? We find ourselves in a period of history where so much is uncertain.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. (2 Chr 20:12)

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We contemplate the future and seek to make plans, all the while knowing that much of what we are orchestrating may not come to pass as we hope, if at all. We find ourselves in a quandary. We want to make the most of each day while remaining flexible and able to adapt to frequent disappointments, while also seeking to move forward and plan for what we hope will materialize. This conundrum can cause most of us to feel overwhelmed, weary, and at times, frozen in indecision.

The more I consider the countless decisions that assault my mind, I am reminded that my eyes, my thoughts, and my gaze must be relocated onto the Only One who holds my future and that of my family, in His hands. He is the Creator, the Sovereign Lord, the Provider of my every need, the Giver of wisdom and discernment. He assures me that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus’s very name is Immanuel: God WITH us (Matthew 1:23). He promises to be with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). This is the one Being who should be the focal point of our lives.

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death. (Ps 141:8)

Often there is nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will. ~A.B. Simpson

I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps 121:1-2)

“Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Mt 14:29-30)

In this passage of Scripture, we see that Peter’s sight was actually a hindrance. Once he had stepped out of the boat, the waves were none of his business. Attempting to survey the danger may actually cause you to fall before it. Pausing at the difficulties will result in the waves breaking over your head. Peter’s only concern should have been the path of light shining across the darkness from Christ Himself. ~L.B. Cowman 

Do you linger in the presence of the Lord? Are you anchored in His personal words, which are available to all who will open the Bible and allow His voice to penetrate the commotion of thoughts that bombard each of us? He will, in fact, give wisdom to anyone who is lacking. We must simply ask. Peter boldly and courageously stepped out on the water, only to be buffeted by the wind and waves and therefore consumed by the thought of what might transpire. We so often operate in a similar fashion. May we all be emboldened to do the very thing that Peter sought to do, yet remained elusive.  For Peter, and often for us, we are entangled in the mire, when all that is required and the very thing that will afford us peace, is a shift in our focus. We must choose to: FIX OUR GAZE ON JESUS.

When we were going through the process of adoption, I stumbled upon a verse that became my heart’s cry as we had to make a myriad of decisions that would effect the rest of our lives.

In this season of ambiguity and unpredictability where we all feel vulnerable, my prayer is for each of us to fix our gaze upon our Merciful Father in Heaven. As you remain in His presence, call out to Him with your every concern, fear, frustration and joy. Trust that God is adept at not only quelling your concerns but He is  also equipped to reveal things beyond your comprehension.

This is what the LORD says, He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it – the LORD is His name: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jer 33:2-3)

Author Susie Smith blogs at HE is trustworthy. (Used with permission. Photo from Dreamstime.)

Are you choosing to fix your gaze on Jesus? Comment your prayers and share with your friends!