Jesus, “you keep all who trust in you in perfect peace—in a peace that passes all understanding. We will more fully enjoy this peace as we set our gaze and fix our thoughts on you. Help us, Lord.” (pp of Isa. 26:3, Phil.4:7, Heb.12:2)
Lord Jesus, there are many important “shifts” in life—movements from one place to another, from a limited perspective to a better one. Today it’s time for many of us to shift our focus from the immediacy of our hurts, fears, and unknowns, to the permanency of your redemption, grace, and love. Grant us “shift” grace.
It’s one thing to be concerned about “stuff,” but another to obsess about our “stuff.” Vexing without sleeping isn’t a helpful substitute for walking by faith (2Cor.5:7) and trusting without seeing (2Cor.4:18). So, with fingers relaxed and palms loosened, we release to you the things over which we have zero control—things which have actually controlled us. Some of these things are so old they’ve gathered dust and rust. Some are as current as this moment. Some haunt us from the future.
Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega. You also have gamma, zeta, theta, and sigma covered too—along with every other letter in all alphabets. “When the cares and anxieties of our hearts multiply, your consolations bring us joy” (Ps. 94:19). Please multiply and manifest your consolations this week, Lord. Without you, your love, and sovereignty—we are rudder-less, sail-less, keel-less, oar-less, windless boats adrift on the sea of fears, hurts, and “What if’s?”
No matter our zip code, time zone, hemisphere and heart-sphere—we choose to fix our gaze and thoughts on you, Jesus. For you aren’t “just” the author and perfecter of our faith, you are our very present Good Shepherd and reigning and returning King. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen