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The author and composer of one of my favorite hymns, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," was Helen H. Lemmel. In 1918 and at age forty-four she was given a tract by a friend, Lillias Trotter, missionary to North Africa. The tract was "Focused.” The pamphlet contained these words—“So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.”
These words made a deep impression on Helen. Helen, later, described how she turned the sentence into the famous hymn:
“Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written the same week, after the usual manner of composition, but none the less dictated by the Holy Spirit.”
I can only enjoy peace if I remain focused on Christ, Who is my peace. Christ puts everything in perspective for me. Christ keeps me rightly focused and mindful.
I am encouraged by the words of Hebrew 12.2. The text reads, Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God (NLV).
Suggestion for Meditation and Prayer
1) Prayerfully read or sing "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."
2) Have you experienced such a Love for Christ that things you once thought very important acquired a "strange new dimness"?
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
CHORUS:
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.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion-
For more than conquerors we are!
His word shall not fail you- He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Prayer
Jesus, sometimes doubts blind me to the beauty that you offer me to enjoy, the glory that shines in the world and reflecting Your love for me. Sometimes I choose, out of fear and distrust, not to trust the best you have for me. Then, I complain because life seems unfair. Help me to keep my eyes on You, that I might see You everywhere and live with a holy optimism, always seeing the best and expecting even more of the best. Amen.
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