“It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when our consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Dare to have it out with God… and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory.

How do we bring things to a focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him.”

these are the words of Lilias Trotter. an artist that served as a missionary to Algeria in 1888. her thoughts, art and journals have captured my heart. more so, the fact that her very words inspired Helen Lemmel to create one of the best loved hymns, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. 

i’ve only read portions of her writings but i know that i’ve met a kindred spirit. her journals inspire me to continue jotting down my thoughts on paper. not for any to read, but more to make sense of my day, and see traces of how God is working. the ‘whys’ won’t be answered soon but in the when, where, and what — it all forms a story that eventually reveals. 

in learning where words come from, it gives more meaning to how i sing/pray them. we are currently learning this hymn that Linda’s words inspired and the kids have been humming it the past few days. indeed, all grow strangely dim…

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Helen H. Lemmel (1863-1961)

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!

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.

Through death and life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion –

For more than conqu’rors we are!

His word shall not fail you – He promised;

Believe Him, and all shall be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell.

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