A Prayer to Keep My Eyes Fixed on Jesus - Your Daily Prayer - August 3

A Prayer to Keep My Eyes Fixed on Jesus
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” - John 8:12

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It was as if God himself sent this specific conference speaker to personally prepare my heart for what was ahead. And this time, I don’t believe it was necessarily to brace me for the bad, as had been the case on repeat the prior year. But instead, the message seemed to be an offering of protection against my doing something I’d probably done way too many times in the past. Shift my gaze slightly away from Jesus when life found a smoother stretch of the road. Over the past challenging year, I had leaned harder than ever on the Lord, and suddenly, for a few brief days, promising opportunities shed bright hope on my path ahead. And as I was being verbally reminded of the common human-nature tendency to stop depending on God as deeply when difficulty lets up a little, I leaned in and listened. I had experienced the precious intimacy initiated when walking closely with someone through suffering—this someone being Jesus—and I definitely didn’t want to weaken that invaluable connection and communion.

Where are you on a scale of hard versus smooth stuff in your life? Are you in the thick of difficulty, or for the most part, does it seem mostly sunshine is shining on your days? Or maybe it’s ever changing, which is also a fair life assessment, the majority of the time, from my perspective. And how is your connection with Jesus? Are your eyes locked on him through the hard? Does your gaze stay in a state of praise for the goodness he’s unfolding? Or have you resorted to a magnified notice of how things of the world have helped or hurt you? Leaning and looking more to people and pleasures than Jesus, the steadfast source of all things.

Here’s what I’ve learned through the highs and lows of life. Taking our eyes off Jesus was never God’s intention. His intention is intimacy—with him, always. Because in him, only in him, is where we find fullness and the light life. The minute we let up and let our sight slip from the true source of all light in our lives is the moment the light and fullness start to fade. And I bet you want that light to stay, and stand strong like I do. Because it’s beautiful. And the more we soak it in, the brighter it shines, and the bolder and more beautiful it becomes.

As for the suffering that we know is inevitable, a life full of struggle and seeming setbacks can train and teach a Christ follower to lean harder on him. To constantly keep our eyes on him. It’s practice for when sweeps of ease do meet our path. And in these sweeter moments, goodness will be greeted with even greater joy and fulfillment because of him and his light. Because we are focused and fixed on him, no matter the case or condition, and are able to see how he is present in each blessing or challenging situation. Because our eyes are fixed on Jesus. And the glorious thing is, when life becomes shadowed by darkness again—and it will until we enter heaven’s gates—our auto-response will still be to look to him. Him who lessens the sting of every hurt, heartache, and all heaviness. Him who increases our hope, our delight, and all of our joy.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, You are the light of my life. And in You, there is a vibrant fullness of life only You can provide. I long for this fullness. I long to hold tight to You. But sometimes, when life runs more smoothly or distractions consume me, I look to lower worldly ways. And that is when the light begins to fade. Lord, help me remain focused on You and Your way, constantly aware of Your presence, so that my sight may not shift or be shaken. So that my praise and gaze stay steady and solid. I long to be filled with You at all times, no matter the circumstance of the season. In the good, the hard, and every moment of every day. At all times, I want to be filled with Your radiance. I want to keep my eyes on You. I praise You for being right beside me always, and for loving me more than I know, always.
In Your Son’s perfect Name, amen.

Photo credit:

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.

Related Resource: Be Still - Advent Meditations

This Advent season can be full and hurried, which is exactly why we need moments to pause and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you space to be with God - and this month, we're walking through Advent Meditations all designed to help you quiet yourself and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

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