Lord, Fix My Eyes

I hate to admit it, but this last year or two, really since #COVID, I’ve had a vision problem.  Not the kind a visit to the optometrist and a prescription can fill, but a much deeper problem.  My vision isn’t just out of focus, I’m simply looking in the wrong places.  Admittedly, blurry vision would indicate an effort to see the truth.  Now, truth right now can mean many things, but according to Hebrews 12, we are to “ . . . run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eye on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith”. Why? We must “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2,3). 

Yep.  That’s definitely what’s happened to me.  I am definitely weary.  Tired of quarreling and fighting, promises of quick fixes that only seem to perpetuate society’s already ill state.  On top of my frustration with the state of, well, everything, I seem to have spiritual amnesia.  I somehow believe that I am living in the first time in history without direction, characterized by godlessness, unrest and, yes, insanity. In my frustration, I am conveniently forgetting, blind really, not only God’s sovereignty and love, but the uncertainty of the Abraham’s barrenness, Joseph’s sale and slavery, Daniel’s den and furnace,  the Israelites’ captivity again and again; not to mention Christ’s crucifixion during oppressive Roman rule.  Basically, I have forgotten my “first love” like the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2) and have no choice but to repent of my wandering eyes.

So, today I am camping in 2 Corinthians 5.  Here I am reminded that I am supposed to be groaning, “longing to put on our heavenly dwelling” (5:2) and uncomfortable in this earthly body (2:6).  Instead of walking by sight, images of more disheartening news everywhere I look, I am to “walk by faith” (2:7).  What does this “blind walking” produce?  “ . . . good courage” (2:6).  I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use some of that.  The secular view produces a lot of things: fear, despair, doubt, but definitely not “good courage”.

A friend posted Psalm 46 today.  What a sermon! 

“God is our refuge and strength,

An ever present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Though the earth give way

And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea . . . “

Lord, forgive me.

Forgive me for forgetting you, your promises, your love, and your sovereignty that has overcome all obstacles past and present and makes “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).  Forgive me for letting small issues like politics, masks, social distancing, etc. . . . . get in the way of the main thing:  loving you and others-yes, even others that I disagree with on the many polarizing issues of the day. 

Once again, please

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

And take not your holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of my salvation . . . “ ( Psalm 51: 10-12).

Lord, fix my eyes on you alone.