"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." - Hebrews 12:2 NLT
An airplane taking off from California bound for New York can be rerouted to Washington D.C. just by moving the plane's nose to the right by 7 feet! Over 200 miles away! Small changes can make a big difference.
When I was a boy on vacation, we hit a detour, and I can remember how sad I felt slowly following cars on vacation. Ever felt frustrated because you had to follow a DETOUR? Or, gone the completely WRONG direction?
Disappointing feelings are understandable, especially when one small detour causes a massive shift in our direction and destination. Given the COVID pandemic reported by the CDC, fires, civil unrest, and fear, life gets foggy, directionless. It can feel like we've ended up in a dark place.
Here are 3 ways to see in the dark, when circumstances want to blind us:
1. Look UP for Hope.
When a flash flood comes through, the quickest and safest thing to do is head to high ground. No matter how long I live, I must remind myself that my hope does not come from my circumstances, but from Jesus. Take a few minutes to start your day looking vertically to God in His Word for strength and comfort. Read the Psalms for comfort or Psalm 139 for a bigger view of God. We gather great hope when we "fix our eyes on Jesus" (Heb., 12).
2. Look BACK at God's faithfulness.
It is easy to forget the past and forget God's faithfulness. Think of the many ways He has been faithful in your life. Write down how he has answered prayers. Remember how He has provided for you financially and given you a job. Recall how he has saved a wayward child. Look back at how he pulled us out of painful circumstances and gave us peace. When foggy circumstances and trials blind us, looking back at God's faithfulness can realign our sight and perspective (Lam. 3:23).
3. Look FORWARD with confidence.
If this life was all we had to look forward to, heaven would lose its luster. Paul said we are to "look forward to what lies ahead and forget what lies behind us" (Phil 3:12-16), Look forward, and plan time with family. Put things on your calendar and look forward to making family traditions. Look forward to the holidays and how Jesus is faithful. Look forward to how Jesus has reserved a place in heaven for you. (John 14: 3) In Hebrews 12:2, we look to Jesus because He is the "Author and Finisher of our Faith.' How encouraging to know that we can look forward with confidence because He is guiding us the whole way. If God is teaching us, we cannot fail.
When uncertainty steers us off course, expectations blind us, or feelings shame us, there is HOPE. We gather more HOPE when we see His faithfulness and look forward to Jesus, who has never failed us yet. Let's start seeing Jesus and life with new eyes.
Digging Deeper
- In what ways can you specifically receive hope from Jesus and the word?
- List 3 people who are faithful and model looking forward with confidence? What qualities should you emulate?
