It seems that mowing day comes too often around here. This morning, Larry and I divided our portion like Abraham and Lot, jumped on our mowers, and took off. Grass flew every which way with the two of us mowing. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Larry heading for me on his mower, giving me hand signals like the guys who direct big planes at the airport. With much effort and hands flying, I finally understood that if I would pick something ahead of me and focus on it, I would be able to make straight rows. He kept looking back and pointing at the wavy lines of the last row I went down. I nodded my head to let him know that I understood and went on my way. Every time we passed, I repeated his hand signals to let him know that I was on track, plus it was fun teasing him! Truthfully though, I struggled. I tried to look ahead at one object but I couldn't help but watch where I was going. After all, I had already made a mess of my rows, so I had to stay on my crooked course. It wasn't comfortable looking ahead and not watching where I was going. It was difficult to focus ahead because I was focusing on the mistakes that I had already made.

Determined, I started a brand-new row with my eyes on the focal point ahead. I didn't have to look down to see where I was going because I knew that if I looked forward, my rows would be straight. I had to focus deliberately, and not look anywhere else. It was well worth my effort as I looked back to see perfectly straight rows. Larry gave me a thumbs up as I successfully finished with my eyes on the focal point.

Sometimes, we set out with our eyes focused on Jesus, but then, we remember our sins and look down at the crooked rows of our lives. We can't help but look at things right in front of us because we lack the trust to look up. Sometimes, we look with regret that cripples us in our new walk. Often, even though we were miserable in our sins, it was comfortable, and for a season, we found some happiness there.

Colossians 3:2 – Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to things going on around Christ — that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. (MSG)

Look at these action words, the things that we need to do: "look up", "be alert", and "See things from his perspective." It's not always easy to do this so we need to ask God to help us.

At the end of my life, I want to see Christ waiting to welcome me home with thumbs up, telling me, "Job well done!"

Prayer: Lord Jesus, instead of gazing at the enemy's efforts to convince us that we are not forgiven, help us to keep our eyes on Your lovely face. Amen.

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About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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