“My eyes are ever toward the LORD…”
—Psalm 25:15a*
“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…”
—Hebrews 12:1b-2a
Dear Cobham Park Church Family,
One evening during last month’s vacation, I went out onto the porch of our rented beach-house. Above thunderous surf, the clouds glowed with hints of mauve. The Atlantic’s biting wind nearly blew my hat off as I tried to take a few photos with my smartphone. When digital pictures couldn’t do justice to the view, I decided to retreat indoors for hot coffee.
By the time I’d emptied my mug, it was dark outside. My phone then buzzed to notify me of texted photos from my nephew. While I’d been admiring the Eastern horizon, he’d been on the other side of the house looking West toward Pamlico Sound. When I saw his pictures, I realized that I’d completely missed a stunning sunset of fiery crimson and deep indigo. I’d been looking in the wrong direction!
I immediately realized the deeper wisdom of this moment. Too often, it’s the story of my life! I miss out, stress out, and burn out when I’m not looking at Jesus. Yes, there are some pretty views elsewhere. But nothing compares with Him! Just as an evening’s Eastern clouds may faintly reflect a glorious Western sunset, so this life’s best pleasures can only hint at the their Creator’s vivid glory.
What has been distracting you from our Lord’s abundant life? What has been stealing your joy? Have you been looking in the wrong direction lately? You may recognize Helen H. Lemmel’s wise advice for this problem: “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.”
In His Love,
Pastor Keith
*Scripture References from the English Standard Version
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