Stay Focused

I was recently at The Cove down in Asheville, North Carolina for a Pastor's Renewal Conference. The Cove is also called the Billy Graham Training Center. Gigi, the oldest child of Billy and Ruth Graham, spoke to some of us about the last words her father said to her before he died. He said, "You need to stay focused on the cross and the person of Jesus Christ."

The Apostle Paul said it this way: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!" (Hebrews 12:2a). The NIV says "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." 

What does that do for us? It allows us to persevere through the trials of life so that we may accomplish the Father's will and hear Him say, "Well done," when we have finished our race on this earth.

Sometimes we get our eyes off Jesus, don't we? Like Peter, we get our eyes on the waves and off Jesus, and we begin to be afraid. The old hymn was right - we must:

Turn our 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.

As you go through this day, keep looking to Jesus in faith and prayer. When the waves come, and they will; look up and ask the Lord to let you see Him in the midst of the waves. Remember, the waves are what Jesus walks on to get to you and me!

Dennis Hollandsworth