Raising six children on an income which was considered significantly below “poverty level” (such an ambiguous term!) was one of my greatest blessings. Was it tough? Oh, yes. Was it stressful? Uh-huh. Was it amazing? That’s an understatement.
Our checking account was drained. I had figured out what meals I could put on the table with the groceries in my cupboards that would tie us over until our next payday. We had one credit card that was maxed out. I had just a bit of change in my wallet.
The mail arrived. There was a letter from our bank. Our checking account was overdrawn and required immediate attention.
The words blurred before my eyes, through a mist of tears. My heart was in my throat, as I felt the world closing in on me. Waves of despair and helplessness flooded my heart.
Attempting to escape the observant eyes of our sweet and trusting children, I tried to sneak away to the upstairs of our home. Along the way, I met our oldest son. Concerned with how I was doing, he asked me what was going on. With tears in my eyes I shared with him the difficult circumstances we were in.
With a nod, he said to me, “I think there’s something you need to hear.” He then took me to his room, queued up a song… and pressed “play.” I closed my eyes and listened……
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus…. Look full in His wonderful face…. And the things of this world will grow strangely dim…. In the light of His glory and grace.”
I left his room feeling like Someone had just lifted the weight of the world off of my shoulders. As I went back down the stairs, something flashed through my mind! I remembered an envelope of money that my mother had given me to tuck away to use for a family picture someday! I rushed to my dresser, and there it was… If I remember correctly it was one hundred dollars!
Thank You, Lord.
As you and I look out at the world that we live in…. we have our moments of feeling like the walls are closing in on us. Waves of despair and helplessness can pound against our hearts, causing us to lose our balance as we grasp for something to hold onto. The light at the end of the tunnel seems so tiny… flickering at times, appearing to have gone out completely. The vision of our carefully laid plans and dreams blurs and fades, leaving us with just barely an outline of the original. Behind our masks of “we’re all in this together” lies the real expression of “will I ever see life again as I once knew it?”
Close your eyes for moment, while I queue up a song for you….
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus… Look full in His wonderful face… And the things of this world will grow strangely dim…. In the light of His glory and grace.”
Why should looking at the face of Jesus change my perspective, you ask? Oooooh, I was so hoping you’d ask!
Many years ago, in the years following the death and resurrection of Jesus, a man named Paul wrote a letter. He was writing to a group of people in a church located in a town called Corinth. He wrote, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6
Many of these people had actually seen Jesus in the flesh… they had believed in Him with their whole hearts, and His light had shone in… and then they understood. They realized that God’s glory had been on display. And that’s what it was all about.
When I look at Jesus… I see the One who was willing to come to this hurting world, be tormented, mocked, questioned, mistreated, misjudged, insulted, beaten beyond recognition, hung a cross, crucified, laid down His life…… and rose again, beating death, crushing the enemy… for me… and for you… and for the glory of His Father.
“Things of this world grow strangely dim…”
Take a deep breath…. and turn you eyes to Jesus… allowing His light to shine into your heart… knowing that all of this is allowed to ultimately bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
“Dear Jesus… Thank You . Thank You for all that you endured for me. I need your help today. I can’t do this without You. Help me to see clearly that through all of the chaos Your Name is to be lifted higher… as Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords. And please make everything else grow strangely dim. I love you. In Jesus Name…”
Amen.