I think I was about 16 the first time I heard “My Father’s Eyes” by Amy Grant. It was one of my favorite songs back then, but I can honestly say I have probably not heard it in 15 or 20 years. Yet it has been stuck in my head the last couple of days, and I cannot get it out!
Eyes full of compassion
Seeing every pain
Knowing what you’re going through
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father’s eyes.
I figured out why this song has been looping through my brain as soon as I read the last few verses of chapter 15.
There is a crowd of 4,000 men and their families gathered around Jesus, and Jesus calls his disciples together and says, “Look, these poor people have been here for three days. They have got to be starving. We have to feed them.”
Sound familiar? The disciples just experienced this same situation so their heartbeats should be racing right now in anticipation of what is about to happen, but no. They immediately start questioning Jesus. Can you believe it? Well, I should. I do it all the time. But I digress.
“But where are we going to get food out here in the middle of the forest?” Unbelievable!
Well, this time it is seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, but the results are the same. God provided all they needed and then some, but something different does strike me here. Jesus initiated the action this time. When I began meditating on this part of the scriptures, the chorus to My Father’s Eyes began playing in my mind.
Eyes full of compassion
Seeing every pain
Knowing what you’re going through
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father’s eyes.
God’s been talking to me about my focus lately. In chapter 14 he pointed out that the disciples needed to be focused on Him and not on the fact that they didn’t have enough food to feed everyone. How frustrating that they still focused on what they didn’t have instead of on Jesus! But something new hits me here. If they had been focused on Jesus, they would have seen the world around them through His eyes. That is what I want! That is the result of keeping my eyes and heart focused on Him and not the world around me. It is not that I won’t see the world, but I will then see it through His eyes and not mine. Wow! What a different world it is when we look at it through His eyes.
Lord, help me stay focused today. Help me see the people and situations that I encounter through your eyes and not mine. Guard my words and actions accordingly so that I might bring glory and honor to you. May the people I meet today feel your love and power. What a might God you are!
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Shhhhh.....I'm Here. Don't Worry
Can you remember? Think back. The wind is blowing so hard you can hear it whipping the rain angrily against your window. The thunder is so loud you’re fairly certain it’s coming from inside your bedroom not outside in the storm, but you’re not going to peak outside the blankets to find out. The lightening is so close and so bright you fear it’s going to strike you any minute. Your heart is racing so hard you can hardly breathe. You are completely terrified with every fiber of your being. You can only think of one thing – reaching the safety and security of mom or dad’s arms.
“Shhhh,” your parent says as he or she holds you tightly and caresses your damp hair. “I’m right here. Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be ok.” And everything seems alright again . . . until you hear that enormous clap of thunder and see that horrendous bolt of lightening through the window. Oh no, you realize! That horrible wind is still trying to destroy the house and . . .
And then you hear it. “Mama’s got you.” Or “Daddy’s got you.” And you know everything is going to be okay because your parents would never let anything bad happen to you.
What was the difference? The storm was still raging as strong as ever. The people hadn’t moved away from the storm. The only factor different in this little story is the focus. As long as the child focused on the storm, she was terrified and panicked. When she ran to her “savior”, her parents in this situation, she felt safe, secure and peaceful even though the wind still blew, the thunder still clapped, and the lightening still lit up the sky.
Peter and the disciples were in just such a situation once on a boat in the middle of the sea. They began calling out for Jesus to save them, and then there He was – walking toward them on the water. Now, I don’t care how scared you are, that would have to catch your attention for at least a little while! And, well, it did. But instead of recognizing that it was Jesus answering their call, they were even more afraid.
“A ghost!” they cried out.
“Shhhh,” Jesus comforted them. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Well, Peter wanted proof. If this was Jesus, he wanted to be able to walk on the water, too. (When you were a child, did you ever ask your parents to prove they were your mom or dad before you would climb up in their lap for comfort? No!) But Peter climbed out of the boat, and, sure enough, walked on the water until . . . he changed his focus from Jesus back to the storm and became afraid again. Then he sank in the sea, and typical of us silly humans, cried out to Jesus again.
“I told you I’m right here,” Jesus said. “Didn’t you believe me?” And he not only rescued Peter He calmed the storm – He dealt with the situation.
My focus cannot be on people. My focus cannot be on material things. My focus cannot be on the situation around me – no matter how frightening or scary they may be. Jesus is there saying, “Shhhh, my child, I’m right here. Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.” And no matter how much I may want to deal with the problems at hand, I can no more change the world around me than I can calm a raging storm. But, praise God, I know the One who can, and He holds me in His hand. He’ll not only control the storm, but I may even get to walk on the water if I stay focused on Him.
“Shhhh, Robin,” He says. “I’ve got you. Don’t be afraid.”
And then I’ve got a choice to make. Where do I focus? One direction leads to fear, frustration and failure. The other leads to peace, power, and provision. Seems like a no-brainer when He puts it like that, huh?
Lord, thank you for your patience. Thank you for always being there through the storms and through the beautiful, sunny days. Thank you for giving me peace and providing me with all that I need to survive the storms that come my way. I understand you have not promised there won't be storms, but I acknowledge your power to deal them and your understanding to know the best way. Help me keep my focus on you and not allow fear to distract me. Help me have faith to step out of the boat when you ask me to walk on the water. Be with my family and friends, Lord, calm their storms. The raging seems to be almost unbearable yet I pray we would all keep our focus on you and hear you as you remind us, "I'm here. Don't be afraid."
“Shhhh,” your parent says as he or she holds you tightly and caresses your damp hair. “I’m right here. Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be ok.” And everything seems alright again . . . until you hear that enormous clap of thunder and see that horrendous bolt of lightening through the window. Oh no, you realize! That horrible wind is still trying to destroy the house and . . .
And then you hear it. “Mama’s got you.” Or “Daddy’s got you.” And you know everything is going to be okay because your parents would never let anything bad happen to you.
What was the difference? The storm was still raging as strong as ever. The people hadn’t moved away from the storm. The only factor different in this little story is the focus. As long as the child focused on the storm, she was terrified and panicked. When she ran to her “savior”, her parents in this situation, she felt safe, secure and peaceful even though the wind still blew, the thunder still clapped, and the lightening still lit up the sky.
Peter and the disciples were in just such a situation once on a boat in the middle of the sea. They began calling out for Jesus to save them, and then there He was – walking toward them on the water. Now, I don’t care how scared you are, that would have to catch your attention for at least a little while! And, well, it did. But instead of recognizing that it was Jesus answering their call, they were even more afraid.
“A ghost!” they cried out.
“Shhhh,” Jesus comforted them. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Well, Peter wanted proof. If this was Jesus, he wanted to be able to walk on the water, too. (When you were a child, did you ever ask your parents to prove they were your mom or dad before you would climb up in their lap for comfort? No!) But Peter climbed out of the boat, and, sure enough, walked on the water until . . . he changed his focus from Jesus back to the storm and became afraid again. Then he sank in the sea, and typical of us silly humans, cried out to Jesus again.
“I told you I’m right here,” Jesus said. “Didn’t you believe me?” And he not only rescued Peter He calmed the storm – He dealt with the situation.
My focus cannot be on people. My focus cannot be on material things. My focus cannot be on the situation around me – no matter how frightening or scary they may be. Jesus is there saying, “Shhhh, my child, I’m right here. Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.” And no matter how much I may want to deal with the problems at hand, I can no more change the world around me than I can calm a raging storm. But, praise God, I know the One who can, and He holds me in His hand. He’ll not only control the storm, but I may even get to walk on the water if I stay focused on Him.
“Shhhh, Robin,” He says. “I’ve got you. Don’t be afraid.”
And then I’ve got a choice to make. Where do I focus? One direction leads to fear, frustration and failure. The other leads to peace, power, and provision. Seems like a no-brainer when He puts it like that, huh?
Lord, thank you for your patience. Thank you for always being there through the storms and through the beautiful, sunny days. Thank you for giving me peace and providing me with all that I need to survive the storms that come my way. I understand you have not promised there won't be storms, but I acknowledge your power to deal them and your understanding to know the best way. Help me keep my focus on you and not allow fear to distract me. Help me have faith to step out of the boat when you ask me to walk on the water. Be with my family and friends, Lord, calm their storms. The raging seems to be almost unbearable yet I pray we would all keep our focus on you and hear you as you remind us, "I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Saturday, January 16, 2010
You'll Never Guess What Happened Today, Mom!
I can’t seem to get Matthew 14 out of my mind. There is some powerful stuff there! Yesterday I wrote about Herodias. God has used her to show me that my focus cannot be on the people around me and the emotions they invoke in me with their actions.
Ah, but His message doesn’t stop there! In the next few verses Jesus is preaching to the 5,000 and the disciples want Him to let them go home because they need to eat. When Jesus’ reply is, “Feed them” they don’t focus on the person in front of them that has been performing miracle after miracle before their very eyes. No, they focus on their lack of supplies and money. “Feed them?” they say. “Feed them with what? We only have five loaves and two fish.” Now, the little boy who was willing to give up his lunch – he was focused on Jesus. Can you imagine the awe and wonder he must have had as he willingly and innocently handed over the food his mother had so lovingly packed for him? Of course, he would give his lunch to this wonderful man! The scriptures don’t say all of this, of course, but I can’t help but wonder if he was just mesmerized by just being in Jesus’ presence. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when he went home that afternoon and his mom asked, “How was your day?” I don’t imagine she got a one word, “Fine.” Do you? We should be more like that little boy! He didn’t know what Jesus was going to do, but he didn’t stand their wringing his hands, either.
The disciples didn’t have the child-like faith of the little boy, but at least they were not like Herodias in that they did change their focus and listened to Jesus instructions. The consequences of their doubt, frustration, and worrying changed when their focus changed so they had the unbelievable privilege of being used by Jesus when he performed one of the most well-known miracles chronicled in the Bible. It must have been awesome to watch as the contents of that humble lunch fed 5,000 men and their families – with leftovers to boot!
My focus cannot be on the material things I do or do not have. God will provide my needs – often far and above anything I can even dream or imagine. Certainly beyond anything I deserve! When I do focus on things, I experience unnecessary worry, fear, and anxiety; however, when I give my circumstances over to God, I experience peace, comfort, and security with a side of blessings beyond belief! It goes against my sinful nature, but when I look at it like that, why would I ever want to focus on anything but Jesus?
Lord, thank you for your provision and blessings. I am so unworthy and you are so merciful and loving! Forgive me for the times I lose my focus and look at the people and things around me instead of at you. Thank you for all you are teaching me about my focus. May my eyes and heart be receptive to the messages you are giving me. May I be mindful minute by minute, second by second throughout every day to stay focused on YOU! And may I be so focused I hear when you ask for “my lunch”.
Ah, but His message doesn’t stop there! In the next few verses Jesus is preaching to the 5,000 and the disciples want Him to let them go home because they need to eat. When Jesus’ reply is, “Feed them” they don’t focus on the person in front of them that has been performing miracle after miracle before their very eyes. No, they focus on their lack of supplies and money. “Feed them?” they say. “Feed them with what? We only have five loaves and two fish.” Now, the little boy who was willing to give up his lunch – he was focused on Jesus. Can you imagine the awe and wonder he must have had as he willingly and innocently handed over the food his mother had so lovingly packed for him? Of course, he would give his lunch to this wonderful man! The scriptures don’t say all of this, of course, but I can’t help but wonder if he was just mesmerized by just being in Jesus’ presence. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when he went home that afternoon and his mom asked, “How was your day?” I don’t imagine she got a one word, “Fine.” Do you? We should be more like that little boy! He didn’t know what Jesus was going to do, but he didn’t stand their wringing his hands, either.
The disciples didn’t have the child-like faith of the little boy, but at least they were not like Herodias in that they did change their focus and listened to Jesus instructions. The consequences of their doubt, frustration, and worrying changed when their focus changed so they had the unbelievable privilege of being used by Jesus when he performed one of the most well-known miracles chronicled in the Bible. It must have been awesome to watch as the contents of that humble lunch fed 5,000 men and their families – with leftovers to boot!
My focus cannot be on the material things I do or do not have. God will provide my needs – often far and above anything I can even dream or imagine. Certainly beyond anything I deserve! When I do focus on things, I experience unnecessary worry, fear, and anxiety; however, when I give my circumstances over to God, I experience peace, comfort, and security with a side of blessings beyond belief! It goes against my sinful nature, but when I look at it like that, why would I ever want to focus on anything but Jesus?
Lord, thank you for your provision and blessings. I am so unworthy and you are so merciful and loving! Forgive me for the times I lose my focus and look at the people and things around me instead of at you. Thank you for all you are teaching me about my focus. May my eyes and heart be receptive to the messages you are giving me. May I be mindful minute by minute, second by second throughout every day to stay focused on YOU! And may I be so focused I hear when you ask for “my lunch”.
Friday, January 15, 2010
You Asked Your Daughter to What!?
Our pastor challenged us to read a chapter of the New Testament every day this year so I’ve been reading Matthew lately. Have you ever noticed how God seems to slip His message into every sermon, every passage, every devotion you read or hear during that time? Yesterday’s passage was Matthew 14 (since it January 14, of course!). I’ve read this lots of times before and heard numerous sermons preached about it. I’ve even taught portions of this passage, but today God gave me a new perspective about what appears to be His theme for me this year – or at least for awhile – focus. Have you ever noticed the number of people who lost their focus in this passage alone? And, wow, the consequences they paid!
Herodias’ focus was on revenge against John the Baptist. Her anger consumed her to the point that it poisoned even her loved ones. She hated him so much she got her own daughter to ask her own father to behead a man. If that wasn’t enough she had her request that head be BROUGHT TO HER. I can’t imagine hating anyone so much that I would want to plan their death, but I definitely wouldn’t plot something so vile with one of my own children! And then to request her to have a severed head brought to her? No way! The very idea of having it brought to me turns my stomach, but I think I would sooner die than ask my child to have it brought to her. What horrible consequences Herodias’ focus on revenge had for her, her daughter, and Herod – death, destruction, sin, hatred, regret….just to name a few!
Wow! What a strong warning not to allow hatred and revenge to seep into our hearts and minds! How destructive!
Lord, guard my heart against hatred and revenge. Help me love those who I feel have done wrong against me. May I see them through your eyes and not mine. May I ever be mindful that my actions and reactions have consequences not only for me but for those around me – including those I love so dearly!
Herodias’ focus was on revenge against John the Baptist. Her anger consumed her to the point that it poisoned even her loved ones. She hated him so much she got her own daughter to ask her own father to behead a man. If that wasn’t enough she had her request that head be BROUGHT TO HER. I can’t imagine hating anyone so much that I would want to plan their death, but I definitely wouldn’t plot something so vile with one of my own children! And then to request her to have a severed head brought to her? No way! The very idea of having it brought to me turns my stomach, but I think I would sooner die than ask my child to have it brought to her. What horrible consequences Herodias’ focus on revenge had for her, her daughter, and Herod – death, destruction, sin, hatred, regret….just to name a few!
Wow! What a strong warning not to allow hatred and revenge to seep into our hearts and minds! How destructive!
Lord, guard my heart against hatred and revenge. Help me love those who I feel have done wrong against me. May I see them through your eyes and not mine. May I ever be mindful that my actions and reactions have consequences not only for me but for those around me – including those I love so dearly!
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