THE EYES HAVE IT – We men are visual so where our eyes go, our mind is quick to follow. The pornography industry has keyed off this fact for decades. The self-help industry has as well by encouraging men to put a picture of the house or car desired on a wall where it will be seen several times a day to help keep the eyes focused on the goal. This fit right in with the commitment I made to live above the poverty line that I grew up below. At a relatively young age my eyes began to focus in on making money, the next step on the career ladder and collecting stuff – my eyes were fixed in the world. Some success was realized but the collateral damage on the relational front was costly – very limited friendships and a family about to give up on me.

The Word on FIXING YOUR EYES is: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, ...”  – Hebrews 12:2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” – John 1:1-2, 14. The author calls us to focus on Him, to relate to Him through His life on this earth. Daily time in scripture and prayer helps us fix our eyes on Jesus. He connects us to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. The only collateral damage will be the “old self” – Romans 6. The new self focuses on relationships for the Kingdom versus stuff in this world.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the wake up calls You have blessed me with on this journey called life. Your example as a man in this world – embracing the job before You, obeying Your Father all the way to the cross and loving us every step of the way, is what I need to fix my eyes on. Teach me to embrace where You have me, to listen well and obey Your word, and love as You love in marriage, family and beyond. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Amen.

A faithful father keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus.