Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus When Distractions Come

Man walking near cliff on a coast line

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face," — when I start feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, these words are comforting. Regardless of what may consume my attention, I am always thinking, Jesus got this.

This week I had a new opportunity to meet with some of the teens at The Moore Activity Center during the start of their summer break. At first I thought I was going to talk about making Christ your firm foundation, but as the days went on, I was moved to talk about using the summer as an opportunity to focus on Jesus every day. Then by the time school starts, it will be a habit. Then when those distractions come, it will be easy to remind yourself to turn your eyes upon Jesus.

We talked about distractions, but we also looked at the story behind the song, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." This song was written by Helen H. Lemmel. I came across her story in Robert Morgan's book, Then Sings My Soul. Born in 1863, she was the daughter of a Wesleyan minister. Her family migrated to America when she was a child. She loved music. She later returned to Europe to study vocal music in Germany and married a wealthy European. Unfortunately, he left her when she became blind from an illness. She continued to struggle, but she heard a statement that impressed her: "So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness." She later turned those words into a chorus. She stated that the verses were written the same week and were "dictated by the Holy Spirit."

The words also speak to my soul.

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?"

"There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!"

Then there is the closing verse, "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!"

Chorus: "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."

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)

There are so many distractions in our world today. You have every right to be concerned about the state of our world, but the Bible clearly tells us what things will look like as it gets closer to the return of Christ, Our King, Our Savior, The True Peacemaker. I can't speak for everyone, but I stagger somewhere between "Come, Jesus, come" and "But Lord, there are so many people who will perish. Maybe wait one more day. Give them one more opportunity." I do not believe that it is healthy to totally ignore what is happening in the last days. To never address it will just allow more people to perish. Why do I say that? Because the Bible also tells us that many will stand before Christ and He will say, "Depart from me, I never knew you."

So whether you are struggling with a family member, friend, or neighbor who is a lost soul, or maybe your life has been wrecked by something unexpected, you have a Father, Savior, and Friend who knows your pain and struggles. So go ahead, let it go and lay those worries, doubts, struggles, and lost souls before Jesus. Stay focused on Jesus, and these things will grow strangely dim.

Make it a God day, because a God day is always better than a good day.

Rooftop Prayer Warrior

The story behind this hymn is drawn from Robert J. Morgan's Then Sings My Soul*, a wonderful collection of hymn histories.*