Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

"It's been such a busy, busy week, and it's going to get busier today!" I thought to myself this morning. "And, yikes! I have to write a blog post too! What in the world can I write about?" 

I wasn't quite overwhelmed yet, but "packed" might describe this past week. Or it seems as if the word "flurry" may portray it better. However, regardless of what I was thinking, I opened my Bible, preparing to do my morning devotions. The very first verse that I was to read was the below. 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121:1)

I don't know what that verse means to you, but it immediately brought to my mind a lesson I learned a while ago. A biology lesson, to be specific. ("Of all things! You might say.)

Allow me to rephrase it in my own words.

As you were reading this post, I would guess that you have already done this activity many times. Now, I ask that you do it again. Blink.  While you perform this necessary task, your upper eyelid lowers until it meets your lower eyelid. Now blink again. Notice how your eyeball turns upward slightly while your eyelids close.

 Most of the time when we pray, we close our eyes. And now you know that as we lift our spiritual eyes up to God in prayer, our physical eyes are also directed upward.

As this little science lesson came flooding back to my mind this morning, I thanked Him for speaking to me in one of my favorite "languages" - His intricate creation. What a reminder for me to "turn my eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of  the chaos around me.

I'll lift my eyes to You, Jesus. And thank you for the built-in, lifelong, constant reminder! 

Black Widow

Little brother is quite responsible. That's why I was surprised to hear something that resembled a package falling to the ground. I had taken him to get the mail, and had handed him the package while I finished retrieving the mail. As I turned around, I realized why he had let go of it. A large black widow crawled off the package. Little brother stood to the side while I set about the task of exterminating it. A pile of stones later, we succeeded in killing it and flipping it over. As we noted the red hourglass marking on its belly, I asked God to give me an opportunity sometime to use that experience to communicate a deeper truth.

Later that day, we were informally discussing the story of Genesis 3 and how we should respond to temptations. I looked at the little brother and reminded him of our spider adventure.
"Remember how you immediately threw the spider, along with the package, on the ground? You didn't panic either, you just asked for help. That reminds me that when Satan brings 'black widows' to my life, I shouldn't pity it, but completely 'throw it away'. And I can't 'kill' it on my own either, I need to ask Jesus to help."

Wow. I didn't know how much Satan would throw these "black widows" at me this week. Most of the time it was in the area of thoughts. But every time I've asked Jesus to "kill" them, He has.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. ~1 John 4:4

What are the 'black widows" in your life?

Is it Really Greater Than a Cure for Cancer?

"If I believe, then does that mean that you guys kind of had a part in "saving" me?"

"No - Jesus saves and Him alone!" I answered.

"Then... Why do you guys [keep witnessing to us]?"

Our family was volunteering at a Christian organization (the same one mentioned in this post), and among the volunteers were several non-believers. When we worked together, there would often be one person sharing the gospel to them while we all continued going about the tasks. Now I was working with them, and I felt God's prompting to ask if they were ready to believe on Him. To say I was reluctant to do it would be an understatement, and my mind quickly filled with a multitude of absurd excuses. But somehow by God's grace, there I was talking to them.

"Well, imagine that I had cancer. I was about to die when I underwent a treatment that saved my life. Now, let's say that I know you also have cancer. How could I not tell you about the life-saving treatment? Jesus is the same way to me."

As of today, I don't know how God used that conversation in their life. But God convicted me as I thought about the cancer analogy.

Most of you who know me know that I love biology. Something about God's creation completely fascinates me.  I could spend hours talking about it to anyone - and I do. Before I learned not to, I would spend all of dinner talking about the muscle anatomy of the chicken we were eating to my family, who had no choice but to listen. (Tip: If you're a little short on meat, that would be a great way to stretch it.) All that written to say that if I knew of a 100% successful cancer treatment, I would tell everyone.  And I would not stop talking about it. I wouldn't even notice how embarrassing the situation seemed. 

While I was thinking about all the above, my conscience piped up.  "You know that Jesus is far better than a cure for cancer - He completely heals all who come to Him. He saves them - literally! He saved you! Why do you not tell everyone about Him the same way you would tell others about a cure for cancer? Why do you shrink back in fear and embarrassment when you meet those whom you can witness to?"

I was convicted. But I was still extremely hesitant. I wanted to do it, but fear always managed to hold me back. Right around this time, one of my friends challenged me to not ignore God's promptings to tell others about Him that week. (God definitely knows what to do to get me going!) I accepted the challenge (it had to be God's hand at work!), and surprisingly, I eagerly waited for the coming week. 

Lo and behold, the week went by and no opportunities to witness to others presented itself. What? How could this be? I was already quite confused when someone reminded me that I could actually continue the challenge. (What a revelation!)  So, I decided to stick with it a little longer.

Monday morning rolled around and I found myself on the bus. I didn't get to witness to the person sitting beside me... because the person was already listening to music. No, it was because yours truly was tired and was about to fall asleep. No, it was the person who looked like she was about to fall asleep. I cannot remember which of the odd excuses I used, but I wasn't able to say any more to the person than maybe just a plain "Hello". 

By the time afternoon arrived and I re-boarded  the bus, I was thoroughly convinced that I wasn't able to do this witnessing on my own. God had to help me if it were going to happen. 

Soon, the bus came to the next stop, and a lady sat on the chair beside me. And then she started chatting with me! In my memory, I don't believe anyone ever started a conversation with me on a bus. It was usually I who gave the obligatory (or so I think) "How are you doing?" greeting. Sometimes the question was met with a low, gruff-sounding acknowledgement or occasionally a more enthusiastic "Good!", but the conversation typically ended right there.

Now, the lady had started the conversation! I quickly put down whatever I was reading and gave her my full attention. God was giving me another chance to tell someone about Him! However, several minutes into the conversation,  I wasn't quite so certain. Here we were, making small talk about the activities that went on in the bus, what she did for her profession, and the like.

"God, this isn't working! I can't "transition" into talking about You! I'm stuck with talking about the air conditioner!" (Maybe it wasn't the a/c we were talking about- but I can't remember exactly and it doesn't really matter:))

"She's asking why you're here. Tell her your testimony and don't cut Me out of it!"

"Ok, Lord. But please help me!"

So I proceeded to tell her the wonderful miracles of God. I had no idea what she was thinking (or what the whole busload of people were thinking, for that matter),  and her darkly tinted sunglasses did not help any!

Finally, I finished my speech. She then remarked, "I am a Christian, too."

"Wow!" I silently prayed, "Thank you Jesus for giving me an 'easy' person to 'witness' to!"

The conversation then turned to churches and the like. When she left, she looked at me and said, "It was great talking to you!" I still had no idea what she was thinking, yet her tone of voice did seem to communicate that she was encouraged in Jesus. But regardless of what she felt, I was deeply encouraged to share about Him more.

Jesus IS greater than a cure for cancer. But do I live like it?

P.S. Dear reader, I also challenge you to not ignore God's promptings to you to tell others about Him this week. And meanwhile, I would greatly appreciate it if you keep me in your prayers! Like what it says in the Bible in Mark 14:38 : "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." It is so true! And if you do take the challenge, would you kindly leave me a note so that we could be strengthened in prayer together?