Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

A couple of weeks ago we took 39 teenagers to church camp.  It was a glorious time! We saw lives changed and hearts set on fire. Our camp theme this year was “Called Out.”  We focused on being called out of darkness into light (salvation), called out to be different (holiness), and called out onto the waves (faith). Today I want to share the message with you that God gave me to show our teenagers when we returned from camp.  I reminded them that the first few days is always the hardest time for anyone returning from a spiritual get-away.   The enemy attacks with full force because he knows that you are on fire for the Lord.  We have to remember to keep our eyes on Jesus. 

In Matthew 14, Jesus’ disciples had just witnessed a great miracle.  Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  I can imagine that their faith was strengthened and their hearts were set on fire!  In verse 22, immediately after this great miracle, Jesus sent all of the people home and sent his disciples out in the boat while he stayed back to pray.  While Jesus was praying, the disciples were experiencing high winds and heavy waves.  In the wee hours of the morning, Jesus decided to go check on them.  He walked out to them on the water.  When the disciples saw Him coming toward them on the water, they though He was a ghost. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” vs 27

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:28-31    

 

 

What I want you to see in this story is of great importance.  Jesus didn’t just stop the wind and calm the waves immediately.  He wanted to use that moment to increase the disciples’ faith even more.  When Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water he looked to Jesus to keep him from sinking.  He put his complete trust in Him.  But the moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and began to focus on the storm around him, Peter began to sink.  The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus.  In the middle of the storms that are guaranteed to come, that is the only way we will not sink.  The wind is going to howl.  The waves are going to toss us back and forth.  We have to learn not to turn our eyes away toward these things.

But just like Peter, sometimes we will look away.  We will hear the thunder in the distance and turn our eyes toward the storm.  But the beautiful thing is, all we have to do is cry out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately He will reach out His hand and pull us back up.

Already these past couple of weeks I have had to refocus my eyes several times.  Harsh winds have come.  Lightening has been striking all around me.  I have been tempted every day to look at the storms.  Each time I have practiced consciously keeping my focus on Jesus.  I have prayed. I have read His word.  I have listened to praise music.  I have remembered all that He has done for me. It is sometimes difficult, but I know that as I continue to practice these things, it will get easier and easier. 

Today, I encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus.  The storms will come, but I promise you will not sink if you focus on Him!!