Feeling weary? Burdened by your own sin? Riddled by anxiety? Quit looking to yourself. Quit looking to others. Stop looking at the problems or the insurmountable mountain ahead of you. Fix your eyes upon Jesus.
“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 12:1b-3).
This painting is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It hung at the top of the stairs in my grandparents’ house. I lived with them as I finished high school, until I went off to college. And, truth be told, I wasn’t making the best choices those days.
But I would come home late, after going to concerts and parties, knowing full well I was not living like I felt called, knowing I had made mistakes. But, the way the front door opened, the first thing I would see was the face of Jesus, at the top of the stairs. His eyes were kind, not condemning, gently reminding me I was not alone, I was fully known, and I was still always completely loved.
Now, 35+ years later, it hangs in my foyer – again, as the first thing I see when I enter the house. And its serves as a reminder that Jesus is with me — that He is peace, He is love, and He is my anchor when the world swirls around and my thoughts do too. It reminds me to just keep my eyes fixed on Him, both the author and the perfector of my faith. He is faithful. [I love you, Jesus!! Thank you for your loving kindness towards me!]
Sarah Guldalian 