Hey friend, are you Gazing or Glancing? It matters you know. It matters what you are gazing at or glancing at! Especially in these uncertain, crazy times. At what we “Gaze” and how much, will shape who we will become. First some definitions, and then a little GIFT for you at the bottom of this blog. You’re Welcome!
GAZE: To look steadily and intently at something or someone, especially in admiration, surprise or thought. Looking intently at something without taking your eyes off of it, your entire self focused on the object of your gaze.
Examples of Good “Gazing” Things:
1) Amazed at God’s creativity when Gazing into the night sky, so full of stars. 2) Bursting into a rousing rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art’ when Gazing at the seemingly endless ocean as it’s waves crash onto the shore. 3) Gazing out my backyard in winter when the bird feeders have attracted my favorite birds to come and feast. 4) Gazing at pictures of my first grandchild, in awe of the miracle of her life! 5) Gazing into the Word of God, always surprised and blessed with both the newness and the familiarity of this precious letter from God. 6) Gazing upon Yeshua, the babe born in a manger, fully God and fully human, who became the Sacrifice for my sin. His beauty knows. no. end.
GLANCE: To take a brief or hurried look. A quick glimpse.
Examples of Things that only deserve a “Glance”:
1) The to-do list. 2) The news of the day. 3) Emails, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social media account. 4) Heartaches and troubles of this world. 5) Stuff…Especially other people’s stuff! 6) My failures and mistakes. 7) Other people’s failures and mistakes.
These ‘Examples’ listed are my own ideas of what should be GAZED upon and what should only be given a brief GLANCE. This is not to say that some of the ‘glance list’ examples are not important things! Only that Gazing on them can bring a lack of peace and much anxiety. Go ahead, read the examples again. Make your own lists! Which of these things are getting the most time and attention from you?
I keep a post-it note on my writing desk that says, “Gaze at God, Glance at Life”. Are you GAZING at Life and only giving God an occasional GLANCE?
THIS I KNOW…
1. THAT WHICH YOU GAZE UPON THE MOST IS THE THING YOU WILL LOVE THE MOST.
“Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22: 37 NLT
Nothing is to be above Him, nothing in first place in our heart, soul or mind…NOTHING. That especially includes things like our To-Do list, the latest news or our social media accounts. I will dare to say it…that includes our family. Yikes! Lord help me become ‘that woman’ who loves You more than she loves her family.
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 NLT
2. AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS, WE MUST MAKE TIME AND EFFORT TO GAZE UPON HIM.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10 NLT
If we will just wrap our heads around the fact that God is on His throne and remains in control of our very lives, then GAZING upon Him in stillness and in quiet will calm the urge to gaze at the trivial, temporary things of this world. One day, all this stuff that consumes our minds, our hearts and our dollars WILL BE GONE! Only the things of God will last forever. And make no mistake, He will be honored…Every knee will bow.
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 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 its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
What are you gazing at today? One can always make time to do the things that are most important to them. There is nothing more important. Gaze at God today.
“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.” (1918) H. Lemmel
My gift to you…
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