34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.
Where is our gaze? Upon what is our focus fixed? What are we looking at longingly? It matters, you know. If it is placed on light (righteousness), Jesus tells us, our whole body will be full of light, bringing forth light to others; if darkness (labor, sorrow, pain, evil), then darkness. In fact, in Matthew Jesus adds that it is indeed a “great” darkness! 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matt 6:22-23 (NIV) Interestingly, the above verse is “sandwiched” between two verses dealing with where our treasures lay, greed and on Whom or what we serve. If we gaze longingly on the temporal, desiring what will never make it through the fire; we are in fact the big losers! The light within us is darkness hurting ourselves and influencing others for harm. We do not want to go there. Like Lot’s wife, it will only leave a salty taste in our mouths! 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Gen 19:26 (NIV)
I am reminded of Hebrews chapter 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)
Proverbs gives us additional wisdom regarding our focus: 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Prov 4:23-27 (NIV)
“Proverbs provides both a goal and route. The goal is successful living and the route is the way of wisdom.” Robert L. Alden. Lastly, in Psalm 141 David sets forth a worthy example for us all to follow:
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. Psalms 141:8 (NIV)
“So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.” Anonymous Helen H. Lemmel wrote nearly 500 hymns during her lifetime. She became blind as a young adult and was subsequently deserted by her husband. She struggled with multiple heartaches during midlife. As she advanced in years, though destitute, she was spoken of as an amazing person because of her joy and enthusiasm. When asked how she was doing she would reply, “I’m doing well in the things that count.” One of her most famous hymns is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. The words, printed below, make a fitting ending for our “Bread” today. “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! Thro’ death into life everlasting He passed and we follow Him there; over us sin no more hath dominion for more than conquerors we are! His word shall not fail you He promised; believe Him and all will be well; then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”