Looking to Jesus

I have this problem. Generally, its called sin. Specifically, its called believing false things about myself and my Lord and Savior.  I picture it as looking at things other than Jesus. My eyes often stray from Him, the founder and perfecter of my faith, to, say, lies of the Enemy.  Lately these lies have been debilitating.  When my eyes shift, things become disproportionate.  My perspective becomes distorted. I look at myself as a failure. I believe that lie. Then I begin to wrench my neck around to see more.  I see my situation as hopeless.  I believe that lie.  I take a step to turn myself around so I can get a better picture of what else I am supposed to see. I am already walking the other direction when I realize how low and discouraged I have become.  My head is down.  All I can see are lies.  Only darkness.  Everything feels heavy and unbearable.

 We can't do it on our own.  Thankfully, Jesus doesn't let us.  He is saying, "My precious child, look up to me.  I am your hope.  I am your joy.  Lift your eyes, I am here with you.  Turn your face from the evil one.  I am good, I am here, I am waiting.  I have truth to share with you."  Though the smallest tasks seem strenuous in this state, lifting our eyes to the Lord is the easiest, most freeing thing we can do.  He alone brings peace.  He alone is truth.  He says to me, "You are imperfect, but my Father sees my perfection in your place." He continues, "Things may seem unbearable, but I will be with you with each step.  Remain close to me. Don't stray, don't shift your eyes. We will make it through this hike together, no matter how long or steep it may be."  I think I also heard him say, "You're gonna love the view from the top of this mountain!"

 Jesus, there aren't mountains in Texas. :)

 From humbled hands,

 Jessie


References:

-Hebrews 12:2 
-John 15:4
-2 Corinthians 5:21
-Ephesians 2:1-10


Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    I've been having a rough time lately too. I get it. It's amazing how the lies can swallow you and how hard it is too look up. Grateful that Jesus cares enough about us to cause us to look up even when we forget to or don't feel able to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessie RedigerSeptember 15, 2012 at 11:05 PM

      Yes, so grateful that He cares so perfectly and intimately for us. I know my eyes will shift, but my prayer lately has been to shorten the time it takes my eyes to return to Him. Thankful He hears our prayers!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breastfeeding Chronicles, Part 2

So humbled by everyone's response and prayers. All of you can help spread the word about lip and tongue tie to those you know. Two days ago I went to the Lactation Care Center and my suspicions about both Cora's weight gain and her lip tie were confirmed. She had only gained under 6 oz in 15 days. Not good. And she is hungry, but my milk supply was withering. My lactation consultant said that she does, in fact, have at least a lip tie, if not both lip and tongue as well as a moderately high palette. See, when a baby latches improperly and doesn't empty the breast completely you stop producing as much milk. At this point a good latch and transfer of milk is difficult because of her anatomy. We got set up with an electric double pump yesterday and we are both trying to build up my supply and get her what she needs. This is the process: I offer both breasts, then pump both breasts and then give her the expressed milk in a bottle. My supply is already increasing and I have even...
Read more

Coffee Shop Encouragement

While we were sitting in a coffee shop in Shingle Springs, CA working on mail chimp, reading church planting books and taking notes, we met Barry and Jerri. They'd been up and down, on the phone and in intense conversations when Barry popped over to our table to see what we were working on.  "We love Jesus and He's called us to Utah to tell people about Him," I shared. "Do you know Jesus?" I asked.  "Yes! Oh, do we!" He resounded.  They had grown up in Southern California during the Jesus Movement and had followed Him closely ever since. As a gardener, he knows a thing or two about cultivating and climates, not so different from a relationship with Jesus and navigating these days. Currently, they are working on a solution for her mom's living situation as age and medical concerns have caused a need for change.  We prayed for each other and encouraged each other and thanked God for being with us through all of life's ups and downs. As they l...
Read more