Focus on Seeing Jesus

Floyd has been more settled this week, I’m very grateful for that and for all the prayers that have been lifted up for him.

I hope you had a blessed Easter weekend.  I had the joy of celebrating with a few friends in the garden of one of the friends.  Except for medical appointments and my time in the hospital, I have been in isolation at home for over a year.  It was indeed a special "joy" to see some friends and to celebrate together - although very carefully as my immune system is still rather low.

On Good Friday, I was thanking Jesus for all He did for us through His death and resurrection.  My heart overflowed with gratitude because I know I couldn't make it without Him.  He is my everything!

There are times when the needs and pressures of life press in so intensely that they are mainly what I "see."  My focus is on the suffering, the weakness.  The Lord has been encouraging me to "see" Him instead of my needs.  I find that it usually takes a conscious effort to do that.  The needs are often so big, so heavy, so overwhelming that it's hard to focus beyond them.  But as I stop and change my focus, when I "see" Jesus clearly......see who He is and what He's done for me.....then the needs become so much less intense.  In my mind's eye, it's like focusing a pair of binoculars.  I need to not focus on what's right in front of me - but focus on who Jesus is all around me.  He is there, offering His strength, grace, and help.  I just need to see Him, whisper His name, and take hold of His hand.

I read recently that if you're caught in a lightning storm, out in the open with no protection - you should kneel down, tuck your arms in, and go as low as you can to the ground.  If lightning strikes, you won't be as likely a conductor of the lightning bolt because you're so low.  "Maximum safety depends on keeping a low physical profile."

I immediately started thinking about facing the storms of life - those pressures I spoke of above.  My safety is in bowing before the Lord, humbling myself before Him, "seeing" Him - not the storm.  I am bowing my heart before Him.  I'm focusing on all He's done for me.  I'm resting in Him and receiving afresh from His loving hand.  

"I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  Psalm 59:16

"We're depending on God; He's everything we need.  What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own His holy name.  Love us, God, with all you've got - that's what we're depending on."  Psalm 33:20-22  The Message 

"Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice."  Psalm 63:7

Over the Easter weekend, my heart has been stirred as I've meditated on the resurrection victory of Jesus to trust Him for miracles.  When we don't see them in answer to our prayers, I think it's easy to let our faith get weak or lazy.  I'm asking God to increase my faith, and to help me trust Him more actively for miracles.  He is a miracle working God!  He is still moving with resurrection power miracles today.  I'm trusting to see them, to experience them!

I read about a man who had a weather vane on his barn that said "God is love."  When asked why it said that, he told them that it was a reminder to him.  "No matter which way the wind blows, God is love."  How simple, but how profound - and how true!  No matter what "weather" comes our way - God is love.  God is faithful.  God is sufficient.  God is with us.  God is good.  God is working in our lives to accomplish His plans and purposes.  Whatever way the wind blows in our lives - God is there with whatever we need.  And He's still working miracles!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."  Psalm 33:20

"For I, the Lord, do not change."  Malachi 3:6

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."  Isaiah 40:8

"Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable."  Isaiah 40:28

What a sweet assurance it is to know that our wonderful God is unchanging, and still in the business of performing miracles.  He is so good and so faithful!