“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance…” Ephesians 1:18 (NASB)

I felt myself waking up. You know, that time between deep sleep and early morning sounds, the time of day before the alarm clock rings and the first car rolls down the street … not yet daylight, but no longer dark.

Oh, sleep had been so sweet. I resisted waking up, dreading the circumstances I would face on this new day. Rolling over I forced my eyes to open.

There on the floor, five feet from my bed, I spotted my dog, wide-awake – staring at me, his eyes on his master. Hearing the wind and pounding rain outside – a picture of my recent mood – I shuttered and squeezed my own eyes shut again.

I remembered that my husband was away on a business trip, meaning I would have to deal with today’s events alone. My life felt like it had reached a crescendo recently. So, I wanted to snuggle deeply, and hibernate like a mama bear.

I fluffed my pillow and noticed my dog, unmoving, focused with his eyes on his master.

Today I had a meeting with my son’s teachers. In the past, these meetings had accomplished little. Our conversations focused on ways to motivate my son but they seemed to achieve minimal results. The last time I met with his teachers I lost control and, in extreme frustration, broke down and cried – in front of them! When I walked out of the building, I vowed to never return. Now, that is exactly what loomed on my calendar.

I willed myself to sit up. My dog crawled toward me – his eyes on his master.

Also today, I had to drag a trunk-load of boxes through the cold rain and into the gym, my contribution to the garage-sale fundraiser. Remembering I would be alone because no one else had volunteered, I felt resentful.

In addition, I could no longer postpone that uncomfortable conversation with my neighbor. She needed to pay up. I had helped her out when she wanted me to pick up her order for her. Twice my friend who made the sale had reminded me that my neighbor never mailed the payment for it. Now her bill was overdue. I was supposed to get the money from my neighbor. Oh, I hated being the go between!

I stood up and slumped, all the while wishing I could crawl back into bed.

A cold nose nuzzled at my ankles. I glanced at my dog with his tail wagging and his eyes steadfastly fixed on his master.

Staring back, I managed a weak smile and reached down to pet him. I marveled at his devotion.

Where were my eyes? Had I focused yet this morning? Yes, most certainly on my own dreaded issues. Yet, here right before my eyes, my dedicated dog had a message for me. His first act upon waking: turn toward the master, and focus.

At that moment I realized, “My eyes are not focused on my Master.” Knowing what to do, I walked over to the window and knelt down to pray.

Jesus, Master of my life, I turn my eyes toward You, begging You to forgive me. I forgot about You and that Your mercies are new every morning. All I can think about right now is the problems of today, and how I am going to deal with each difficult assignment. Yet You have promised to guide me in all wisdom, if I would just come to You and ask. You provide for me and You protect me. You are the perfect Master, and I trust that You will lay out a path for me today, in Your comforting Name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Do You Know Jesus?

Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sara Young

Visit Van Walton’s blog

From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton

Application Steps:

Stop and focus your eyes right now on Jesus.



Reflections:

Jesus’ followers called Him “Master.” Who do I call “master?”

Have I truly invited Jesus to be my Master?

Do I believe that knowing Jesus will change my attitude toward life’s challenges?

Power Verses:

Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.” (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1-2, “…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us…fixing our eyes on Jesus.” (NASB)