“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
This may be one of those analogies that is difficult to relate to, but I clearly remember being in the Marine Corps Boot Camp and hearing the command our Drill Instructor gave when he wanted everyone to look at him. In a loud, authoritative voice he would yell, “Eyeballs,” to which all seventy some recruits would reply, “Snap Sir,” as we quickly turned our heads toward him. We knew when we heard him speak that word he wanted us to drop whatever we were doing and give him our immediate and full attention.
As Peter and John encountered the lame man who was begging at the Gate, and as he asked them for alms on their way to pray at the Temple, notice the first thing they said to him. Acts 3:4 says, “Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”
Peter wanted this man to give his full attention because Peter was about to give him instructions that would change him for the rest of his life. Now, we know that he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, but again, before he did any of that, he told him emphatically, “Look at us!”
When you feel paralyzed by something in your life, it’s easy to focus on yourself and your situation. When the pressures of life seem to be closing in on you and you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, your situation can consume your thoughts. Sure, maybe you’ve tried your best to put on a smile for those around you, but deep inside you may be feeling completely frozen with no idea of where to turn to next.
It’s at those exact moments that we need to give Him our “Eyeballs” and “Look at Him!” Just as Peter demanded the man’s full attention in an effort get his eyes off of himself and his lame condition, we too must snap our heads away from our circumstances and get our eyes on Jesus. The devil would love to keep you “by the gate” in your paralyzed state while the world passes you by, but Jesus has a better plan for you than that.
In the Amplified Version of John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” Regardless of what circumstances you may be facing today, choose to take your eyes off of your situation and “look unto Him, the author and finisher of your faith.”
Today’s Thought: As we keep our eyes on Him, He will lift us up.