Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
There are distractions aplenty in this life. For those who are easily distracted, like myself, it can be a challenge. As Christians we are called to fix our gaze upon our Lord and not on the circus side shows that litter the side of the road we are on. A perfect scriptural example of this is found in the gospels. Matthew, Mark and John chronicled the event*. Jesus had asked His disciples to go before Him by boat to the other side while He dispersed the crowd He had just been teaching. Shortly after, the disciples saw what appeared to be a ghost walking towards them on the water and they were afraid. Peter said to Jesus, “if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus told him to come and Peter climbed out of the boat onto the water. As long as his gaze was upon Jesus and not the circumstances that surrounded him, he was fine; however, the winds and waves about him distracted him to the point that he lost his focus and began to sink. This tells us three very important things; 1) if we keep our gaze focused on God we will succeed in all we do, in spite of the circumstances; 3) if we succumb to the winds and waves of life that will without question buffet us about, we will sink; and 3) if Jesus tells us to do something, He is more than able to make it happen for us. We can know in all situations that Christ is there to save us just as He was for Peter as He lifted him out of the water and into the boat immediately.
The Proverbs of Solomon are meant for our instruction. We can glean much wisdom from them if we learn them and abide by them. We are to be aware of our surroundings, all the while remaining sure footed on the path God has chosen for us. All too frequently the lure of a rabbit trail draws us aside. If we are not fully engaged in the things of God then we shall be tempted and our spiritual maturation will be put on hold. Think of it this way, if you don’t pay attention to that which is before you, you will be tripped up, as you would when a root breaks through a cement sidewalk leaving the walkway broken and uneven. It is very easy to stumble and fall if your attention is divided. Look straight ahead; “fix your gaze directly before you”.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!
*Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21.
