Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Thoughts from Dayna Spaulding
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
I all too often find myself relying on my own understanding. I think the experiences and knowledge that I have attained will carry me through. Time after time I fail to acknowledge Jesus in my struggles. But as I grow in my faith and in experience, I see how often my limited vantage keeps me focused on the wrong things.
When I lived in Germany, I loved to ride my motorcycle through the twists and turns of the vineyards overlooking the rivers. More than I like to admit, I would come into a corner way too hot. I would fix my gaze on the wrong part of the road and that often would put me in the wrong lane facing dangerous obstacles! The problem was that I would get target fixation. I learned that where my eyes looked, I was soon to follow.
When Jesus called Peter to walk out on the Sea of Galilee at first Peter did great, but then he took his eyes off Jesus. Peter started to look at the obstacles and the challenges of the sea, he began to sink. Jesus said to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-33)
My question is where did Peter’s faith come from? Why did he have enough faith to step out of the boat, but not enough to walk to Jesus? I think the answer is that our faith is only as strong as our gaze or rather what we gaze upon. Peter lost sight of Jesus and became overwhelmed with the obstacles around him. In so doing, he failed to acknowledge Jesus in his inability and began to sink. I know we have all been there; sinking in the difficulties of this life, overwhelmed by the wind and the waves.
Hebrews 12:1b-2a says, “… let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith…” Did you catch that? Looking only at Jesus! It is Jesus who bolsters our faith! It is only in the name of Jesus can we overcome the obstacles and sin in our lives. Just like Peter our faith is effectual only when we fix our gaze on Jesus alone.
It wasn’t until Peter cried and reached out to Jesus to save him that he was able to rejoin Jesus on the water. Only then was he able to overcome the trials at hand. When we rest in Jesus, we acknowledge that it is Jesus who gives us the strength, not just to get by, but to thrive! When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are free to run, not trudge through life.
Make it Real
It is easier said than done to fix our eyes on Jesus. After all, everything in this world is vying for your attention. I know if I don’t make seeking Jesus a rhythm of my life my gaze soon slips. I need to intentionally set Jesus as a priority. I need things to remind me to seek Him. Deuteronomy chapter 6 gives us an example of what we can do to make our Savior a rhythm in our lives; speak to one another, teach one another, be in fellowship! We are to put scripture on our property and on our bodies as reminders of who God is.
My wife likes to write scripture on our mirrors with dry-erase marker and put sticky notes around the house. I will often write the initials of someone I need to be praying for on my hand or a scripture that I need reminding of. Who remembers those WWJD bracelets? These things are all great ways to remind us to consistently put our eyes on Jesus. I think it is also important to set aside specific times to spend with Jesus, daily, weekly, and monthly. Every few months I do something like go backpacking with intent of being in solitude with Jesus.
I encourage you to take some time to read through Deuteronomy chapter 6 and meditate and pray on how God would have you put reminders in your life to consistently fix your gaze upon Him.
Jesse Garnett
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Jesus,
Thank you that even the wind and the waves obey you! There is none like you who can command the forces of nature and who can make my path straight. Thank you that you desperately desire a life with me and that you want to free me from the sin and bondage in my life. Yahweh, teach me to be in tune and abide in your Spirit that I can live abundantly in union with you. Thank you for the strength and grace you provide to get me through the difficulties in this world.
Jesus, you are all I need, Amen!