Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

May 15, 2014 by kim golds

I’ve got all these plans piled up sky high
A thousand dreams on hold
And I don’t know why
I got a front row seat
To the longest wait
And I just can’t see
Past the things I pray
Today

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade and fall to the ground
‘Cause when I seek Your face and don’t look around
Any place I’m in grows strangely dim

Sometimes where I stand
On this narrow road
Is in a raging storm
Or a valley low
But oh oh oh oh oh oh

I don’t know, I don’t know
What tomorrow may hold
But I know, but I know
That You’re holding it all
So no matter what may come

I’m gonna fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade and fall to the ground
I’m gonna seek Your face and not look around
‘Til the place I’m in grows strangely dim, strangely, strangely dim

Songwriters – Mia Fieldes, Seth Mosely, and Francesca Battistelli
Performed by Francesca Battistelli

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I once heard it described to me that what you focus on is what you magnify. Imagine looking through the lens of a camera when you focus on what you are taking a picture of the things around it grow dim. When life’s circumstances are coming at us it is easy to get distracted by what’s coming at us instead of turning our focus to the One Who will bring us through it.

I love these words from this old hymn…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

When we choose to turn our focus to Jesus the things of this world—our circumstances, doubts, and worries—grow strangely dim. When we are fully focused on Him there is fullness of joy!!!

Psalm 16:11 ESV states it beautifully,
You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

“What’s the secret to joyful heart living and to having fullness of joy? According to the Scriptures listed above, we obtain fullness of joy from being in the Presence of God. And we enter into the Presence of God by praising Him. And when we have joy, then we also have strength.

So, whenever I am feeling less than joyFUL, or am feeling weak or am facing something difficult and need more strength, I stop what I am doing and begin to praise God. Sometimes it may take awhile for me to get my mind to quit thinking about everything else and just focus on HIM, but before long, I can feel His Presence and my joy returns, along with strength.

Isn’t it great to know that we have the power to enter into the Presence of Almighty God whenever we want to?”
(excerpt from JoyfulHeartLiving.com)

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that when we turn our focus to ALL that You are the things of this world grow strangely dim. Thank You for the peace in Your presence. May we be filled with the fullness of joy that can only come from You…in Jesus’ name!!! AMEN!!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

February 12, 2014 by Clella Fox

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His word shall not fail you He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well.
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

~ Helen H. Lemmel, 1922 ~

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The inspiration for Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, which Helen entitled ‘The Heavenly Vision’, came from the writings of author and artist Lilias Trotter (1853-1928), a brilliant artist whose talent opened the doors to wealth and influence. Her other love was missions. After struggling in prayer for two years, she laid down her love of art in order to fix her eyes solely on Jesus and on His calling to the mission field. She served for more than 38 years as a missionary to the Muslims of Algeria. She also authored several books and tracts. The following is an excerpt from her tract, “Which Passion Will Prevail?”

“Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen harmless worlds at once — art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the good hiding the best.” It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Dare to have it out with God, and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His Glory. Turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him.”

Life gets busy, and even crazy! But whenever I sing this song, my eyes focus on Jesus, and I do find refreshing in “life more abundant and free.” This is what Jesus desires for us each and every day.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1,2

There are others who are “weary and troubled” in the darkness of life. Jesus commands us to share His light with them too.
Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
Mark 16:15

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Lord, I don’t want the good of life to hide Your best. Help me focus on “Your wonderful face,” and do what You say, go where You call, and share with those You lead me to. You promised Your Word would never fail me, so I’m turning my eyes on You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Strangely Dim