As a new father I get to see life through a different set of eyes. One of the things that has caught my attention is when my daughter Maya enters a new room or meets a new person, she looks at Jen and myself.
When she turns around to us it’s as if she is looking for our approval or more importantly looking to see whether she is safe or not. As soon as we give her a smile, she knows that it is safe to proceed. Sometimes she needs to do a “double take” just to make sure but for the most part she is as curious as she can be.
It is fairly common for children to look to their parents when faced with unfamiliar situations and circumstances. We see it more often when children get hurt and they look to their parents to understand how they should react.
I can’t help but think that we are meant to do the same with God. Whenever people are faced with challenges and difficulties, many of them have nowhere to turn and no one to turn too. But as Christians we have the privilege of having a loving Father who we can look to for protection and safety in the midst of adversity.
Whenever we are faced with a new situation or challenge, perhaps we can turn to Jesus and fix our eyes on Him as the scriptures tell us. Maybe when we are hurt or in pain and unsure of how to respond, perhaps we can look to our Father for comfort and clarity.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
In this season of increasing our faith we may need to do the same as Maya did and fix our eyes on our Father. When we take steps of faith that can be daunting sometimes, it helps when we can see our Father looking at us with delight and approval. We can walk in faith knowing that He is with us and will protect us every step of the way. We may not know where we are going or what the results look like but we know the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.
Father, Give us eyes to see you and ears to hear you. Help us to turn to you when we are faced with adversity of many kinds. May we put our faith and trust in you, our loving Father. Show us the way, Yahweh. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!