Turn Your Eyes to Seek Him: How to Start Your Days with Jesus
Mathew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When you open your eyes in the morning, what is the first thought that floods your mind? Are you concerned with bills? Are you worried about your job? Is your mind filled with worries of how and when things will get better?
Are you concerned about the list of to do’s that seem to never be done? Is your first thought of a child, your spouse, a family member? Is your first thought of the news, the world and what you may have missed? Is your mind heavy with grief? Are you reminded of all that’s been lost? Or is your first thought about how hungry you are?
I believe that our first thoughts are indicators of how the remainder of the day will go. Our days are often set by the trajectory of our thoughts and our mindset when we wake.
Walk with me through an example.
Imagine when you are first stirring awake, your eyes open and your first thought is, “crap, I forgot to wash her jersey for the soccer game today.”
You jump out of bed, and run to grab the hamper, frantically throwing the clothes into the washer. Knowing as you are doing this that there is not enough time to wash and dry before the kids leave for school. Yet, you persist with the frantic paced morning.
As you load the washer you seethe at your child. “Do I have to do everything and remember everything? This isn’t my uniform, yet somehow, I am responsible!” Now you are slamming cabinet doors and banging drawers closed to ensure everyone knows you’re livid. The relational climate of the house is set cool, as everyone is on edge and tiptoeing around the morning grinch.
Sound familiar?
Of course not! I am sure I am the only one who has reacted this way! Or who has forgotten to wash the jersey! HA!
Here’s the thing. I believe that often we perceive these moments like we don’t have a choice in the matter. It’s like someone (our child in this case) is intentionally trying to cause us irritation and extra work. The reality is, they are human, like we are human. They forget, like we forget. And we have a choice in how we respond.
Let’s look at this scenario through another lens. What if we started our day with a different thought?
Imagine how your morning may change if your first thought was, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8)
What if our first thoughts in the morning were of Jesus, and the faithfulness of God? What if we woke up with a heart of surrender, putting our trust in God, and asking for His direction? How might we handle the dirty jersey differently if we began the morning not in a tizzy but with our mind set on Jesus?
I can tell you, for me, when I begin my days with this verse, my mornings and my days flow more smoothly. Not that problems don’t arise, but it is my posture toward the problems that is altered.
You see, when I focus on all that needs to be done instead of the ONE who holds all things together, I get tangled up in the insignificant. Starting with my focus on Jesus, His love, His guidance and direction, and professing to myself my trust in Him, helps me rightly respond and prioritize. Perfectly? Of course not. But far better than when I try to do it all on my own without first acknowledging God in my life.
My favorite all time worship song is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. The hymn, written by Helen Lemmel, begins,
“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!”
Do you feel that? When you wake up in the morning is the light of your life dim? Are you feeling weary or troubled? Is your mind wrought with the lists, and to be dones?
Well, my friend. There is no better place to be, because it is in the darkness that the light of Christ shines most radiantly. Perhaps it’s time to turn your eyes toward Jesus. As you look to Him in the start of your day, all that seemed significant or irritating grows dim.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When we start our day with Jesus, all we thought was important is put into proper order. When Jesus is placed in His rightful position everything else falls into its appropriate place. With Jesus, He helps turn the frantic moments of last-minute laundry into puzzle we get to work through instead of a “have to” burden.
When we seek first His kingdom – understanding that everything on this earth pales in comparison to knowing Jesus, our priorities shift.
May I encourage you to start your day with the truth of God’s word? Put a verse in your mind and in your heart. Maybe Psalm 143:8 is the verse that will help you to turn your eyes toward Jesus as you wake. Try it. Write out a verse that speaks to your heart and reminds you of who Christ is in your life. Put it on a note card. Leave it on your nightstand. Read it before bed and when you rise.
Meditate on His words. Breathe in His presence even before you get out of bed.
Where you are experiencing darkness, and weariness, where you are experiencing troubled thoughts or circumstances, may I lead you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and seek Him first. As you do may your heart be revived, your mind be renewed, and your spirit be refreshed!
Join me, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:30am on most podcast platforms as we together seek first God’s kingdom and live ALL IN for Christ!
Recent Comments