I wonder, as I sit at the window of a hustle bustle bus tossing me up and down. The roller coaster bus ride, the noise of the vehicle honking aloud, the dust of the road swirled by the passing vehicles, so much a chaos in and around. I tried to wade through them but invain. None of them seemed to give any heed.
I closed my eyes and calmed me down for while. I tried being still inside. I opened my eyes and far from the window, I glanced and gazed: A lovely and beautiful green grass hurling and dancing along with the wind. The sight of this was so mesmerizing. Nothing seemed beautiful to me. Nothing really mattered. The plight of it captured me.
Besides, I was still in the chaos, still on the rough roads, roller coaster ride, the dust and noise around. Nothing changed and yet nothing bothered me now. I was still inside. Calm and peaceful; captivated by the wonderful beauty far beyond. I was here and yet I was there.
How often we are lost in the business of life’s role and responsibilities. They keep us joggling restlessly. We’re taught to deal with it, handle it and ride over it. We spend our lives driving these disturbances away and lose sight of important things in life.
Apostle Paul writes in Hebrew 12:2: ”we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding it’s shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne”.
He meant: I fix my gaze upon Christ Jesus. I detach myself from everything around me, I let go of my past; I’m insensitive to my surroundings, I’ve stopped trying to work out things with my strength. I have put them all behind me. And my gaze is set upon Jesus!
Jesus himself endured the cross, disregarded shame, bore all the insults, took all the betrayals because of the Joy that was set before him. He set His eyes on the Father. In fact, so much more that He never took his eyes off from father. His gaze was set on the Father!
Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19.
And because Jesus set his eyes on the father, He could walk Holy, righteous, blameless and past all the hurdles, challenges, insults and accomplish the absolute will of God in obedience. Notice He didn’t do anything of His own. He saw His Father doing and did exactly that. You gotta be firm and fixed not to miss a move!
The key to walk in the ways of God is fixing your gaze on God. The key to walk with Jesus is fixing your eyes on Jesus. You’ll walk into holiness, righteousness and a wonderful life that God has for you. Your struggle only comes when you’re eyes are not on God.
Amidst the busy chaos and chorus of life, I train my mind and heart to calm down, step aside, pause everything around and look unto Jesus. For beholding him is the most wonderful thing. Oh how often I would want to stop by and gaze at him. The more I gaze, the more I know him; the more I know Him, the more I understand Him, I know His nature, Character, heart, and His mind. I fall in love with him again and again.
Where’s your gaze today? Lost in the world? It’s time to pause everything and fix your gaze firmly upon Jesus. Stay right there. He is absolutely wonderful to behold!
Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken”.
There is peace, Joy, love, calmness, and life in this gaze!
Joseph Suhas