Turning My Eyes

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.

- Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

These words say it all for me right now. For the past couple of weeks I have felt like I've been suffocating in the busyness of life--just going through the motions--trying to keep my head above water. I decided at the last minute this morning to go to church with my dad since it is Father's day and it's not often that I get the chance to visit my old "home church", and as we sang this hymn, I was reminded that all I have to do is turn my eyes on Jesus. His eyes are already on me. I just must choose to "look full" in His face rather than at the spinning-dizzy world around me. Losing Granddaddy, work, the stack of books to read, the projects and papers to complete, the mountain of laundry and dishes to be done, etc., etc., etc.--all of that nagging stuff that makes me almost lose my breath when I let my mind dwell on it--"the things of this earth" will dim--will be covered up by the light, unending light, of His {glory} and {grace} IF ONLY I will choose single-minded focus. Choose to turn my eyes to the One who always has his eyes on me. 

Why is it that I run away from Him when I need His strength the most? Why do I refuse to spend time with Him when it's only Him that can make me stand? Why do I reject the Good Shepherd's always open arms?

Are you maybe feeling a bit weary or overwhelmed, too? Be encouraged, because HE is enough. 

This upcoming week, I'm praying for the strength and discipline to turn my eyes--to look full--in His wonderful, glorious, and grace-filled face. He outshines everything else.

[Ignoring the cheesy graphics on this video, I love this a cappella rendition by Selah.]