“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:2, GNT).
“I have set the Lord always before me…” (Ps. 16:8, ESV).
“One thing I ask… to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…” (Ps. 27:4, NIV).
A young Christian is often tempted to be anxious about his or her weaknesses. One of the enemy’s favorite strategies to use against us is to get us to become obsessively introspective. We can become so focused on our floundering that we lose sight of the One who has promised to perfect the good work He started in us.
I believe that a central part of growing up into the freedom of maturity is learning to fix our heart’s gaze on Jesus. The more we are taken with His beauty, the less we will be wrapped up in self-focus.
More and more as the years pass, He will lovingly impart to us how to train our attention constantly on Him. As this happens, we will learn not to worry so much about our faults and failings. By His empowering, little by little, we will become less inwardly focused and more and more absorbed with Him.
Our focal point will become His glorious gentleness and His uncontested power to accomplish everything that is necessary for our transformation process. We will come to lean heavily into His unbreakable covenant commitment to achieve exactly what is needed in us.
This shift of focus is HIS job. He promises to instill in us the power to set our minds on things above, as we seek Him with all that we are. He will teach us how to gaze on Him.
The more He transforms us, the more we will keep our eyes fixed on Him. The more we keep our eyes fixed on Him, the more He will transform us!
The further we progress on this journey in Him from glory to glory, the more richly we will experience this truth: the becoming is in the beholding.
“We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2b, NKJV).
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When we are struggling with a certain weakness that seems to be getting the best of us, what do you think is the best way to pray about it? How, in those moments, do we focus our prayers on Jesus instead of on our own failings?
To answer your question, I think we must trust his process of completing his good work in us, and we must get rid of anything in our lives that would hinder that process.
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I wholeheartedly agree, Meredith! Both of those responses are so vitally important!
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Honesty. Throw up our hands, head and heart and say something like this: I’m not as strong as I thought I was. I can’t do this alone. Help me!
And if we are sincere, He will. Every time. May He bless us all– Mike
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You are absolutely right, my friend. “Call to Me, and I will answer you…” He is SO faithful to answer, and to help!! Thank you, once again 🙂
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Jennifer, the power of God’s transforming Spirit can be found in scripture as well as what you write. Transformation is such a powerful image! May God continue to bless your writing!
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Thank you so much, Richard! I am so grateful He allows me this opportunity! His richest blessings on all you put your hands to too!
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“The becoming is in the beholding.” Lovely.
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Thank you, Roo! ❤ ❤
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Becoming absorbed indeed! Well said!
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Praise the Lord! Thank you again 🙂
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It is hard to not see our weaknesses and failings since we live in this world that constantly reminds us of them. But taking the time to pause, to be still helps remind us of priorities and just how blessed we truly are. We are but mere pebbles in the vast oceans but our God sees each of us individually as unique, special child of His. And with His love we are strong and our failures stay in the past where it belongs as we push forward to accomplish THE plan He has layed out for us.
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That is beautiful, Lisa. Yes and amen. Taking that time to be still in His presence makes all the difference in the world! May He continue to encourage your heart with His amazing love as you push forward on your journey in Him! Thank you so much for taking the time to share. You are always welcome here 🙂 ❤
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Excellent! Well written and great guidance! I love the part “This shift of focus is HIS job.”. So many times we try to build honour own kingdom…it will fail every time!
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Yes and amen! I’m so thankful He never fails! Thank you so much for taking the time to share that 🙂 Rich blessings to you!
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