What Are We Looking At?
By: Anne Peterson
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.– 2 Corinthians 4:18
Jesus was here. Even though he was born as a baby and walked this earth, Jesus knew it was not his home. We are also told in 1 John 2:15-17 that we are not to love the world or the things in the world. We read that the world will pass away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. In John 15:19, John explains that if we were of this world, then we would be loved by the world, but the world hates us, because we are not of this world.
Jesus knew when he came to Earth he would be here for just a while. God had a purpose for Jesus’ life and Jesus fulfilled that purpose, even though he only had a ministry of a few years.
But there is more going on than meets our eyes. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness. But sometimes we forget, and we try to fight in our own strength. No one better illustrated this in Jesus’ time than the Apostle Peter.
When Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, he started out fine because his eyes were on the Lord. But when Peter looked elsewhere, noticing the wind and the waves, he immediately started to sink. I love that Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water out of obedience to Jesus’ words. It probably didn’t make any sense, but that didn’t matter to Peter. Faith means we take one step at a time. Peter never would have experienced that miracle had he not chosen to obey God’s voice.
What is so meaningful to me is when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he went down in the water, Jesus immediately lifted him out. Jesus didn’t chastise Peter or shame him for not keeping his eyes on him. He simply saved him.
Later in his life, Peter would write letters to other believers, encouraging them to be self-controlled and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). We’re told that because the devil is just prowling around wanting to devour us. Each of us are fighting a spiritual battle. Satan spends his time trying to make those who follow Christ fearful. He tries to convince us that God doesn’t care about our lives.
And yet, God’s Word is full of promises that contradict what Satan says. God tells us he will not leave us. He reminds us that he is our refuge and he loves us more than anyone else ever has or ever will.
So, the question is, what are we looking at? Are our eyes on the stormy sea, on the Son who saves?
