Looking to Jesus

I love how sunflowers remind us to keep our faces lifted up, looking to Jesus throughout the day. Scientists call it heliotropism. Jesus calls it discipleship.

While running our race, we have to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal (2 Cor. 4:18, Heb. 12:1-2). Peter learned this that windy night while walking on the Sea of Galilee. "When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:30-31). That word, doubt, carries the idea of being pulled in two directions. We don't know which way to take (Vines). Doubting is when a believer wavers between trust and fear. Peter learned when he kept his gaze on Jesus he could fully trust, but when he looked away, there were plenty of reasons to fear. 

What storms are brewing in your life, making you afraid?

It's good to name those 10-foot waves. This morning, I found a list from a few years ago: Kevin's retirement. Loss of our church home. We probably needed to move. Mom sinking into dementia. Uncertainty about my ankle and back—I would probably need  surgeries. Succession planning. Our twin grandbabies. All were situations I couldn't control. Actually, I could drown. I knew I needed to meet with someone monthly to ensure I was keeping my eyes on Jesus. So I signed up for spiritual direction. It was wonderful to know Alice would help me discern where God was moving in the messiness of my life. She helped me keep my gaze on Jesus. I wasn't alone. And now, looking back, I can see when I cried out, "Lord, save me!", Jesus reached out his hand and provided Alice to catch me. And all those big things are now resolved. Jesus calmed the storm.

Janet McHenry shares that prayer can orient us, help us to live face up, looking to Jesus. I wonder if you would find it helpful to pray daily with someone? Our Spiritual Disciplines in Community group recently explored two-minute prayer. Try it for ten days and see. It's been great for Kevin and me.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.