Looking Elsewhere

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 (New King James Version)

There are times in our life when God must redirect our focus and attention. I have often been enamored by other believers. From the beginning steps of the Christian life all the way to the present I have readily placed people on pedestals and fixed my eyes and heart on them. As long as they were available I was distracted from totally fixing my eyes on Jesus. All along, God has known this would be one of my greatest hindrances to growth and dependency on Himself. While His intent was to place examples in front of me for the purpose of learning, He knew the risk that would be mine if they became more than examples to me.

The words of C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain have struck me profoundly this morning. He writes, “Now God, who has made us, knows what we are and that our happiness lies in Him. Yet we will not seek it in Him as long as he leaves us any other resort where it can even plausibly be looked for. While what we call ‘our own life’ remains agreeable we will not surrender it to Him. What then can God do in our interests but make ‘our own life’ less agreeable to us and take away the plausible source of false happiness.” The truth of these words cut me to the quick because I know how seldom I willingly relinquish that which God ultimately has to remove. Whatever or whomever stands in competition with God in my life must go. Then and only then will I truly be looking to Jesus.

The very losses that may cause me the greatest amount of pain and heartache are the avenues of freedom for my soul. If I do not give them up or God does not remove them, I will remain in a bondage of sorts. And yet even with this awareness I strain, stiffen my neck, and resist at many levels. Slowly but surely God is working to bring me into conformity with His ways. My heart cry has become, “Give me a teachable spirit. Increase my desire for Your will over my own. Help me to willingly open my close fists to You. At all costs, make me the person You created me to be. Remove all that enamors me until You have all of my heart and my attention.”

The words are easy to say but life has taught me the answer to such a prayer will entail painful moments. But in the midst of tears, sorrow, and heartache, there will also be joy, empowerment, and victory!

Father, each time I take my eyes off You I am in trouble. You know what will be necessary to redirect my focus. May I submit to whatever it takes. Amen.