Fixing My Eyes on Jesus

Sometimes you get to a point where you feel like you have been “burning a candle at both ends” as the saying goes.  I feel physically tired, but I can’t recall doing anything out of the ordinary. Maybe I’m low in some vitamins and minerals? I know I’m a bit sleep deprived and if you are not getting enough sleep, you lack energy during the day.

I am trying to cope with chronic pain which I know affects my muscles, so maybe my energy levels too? I have been trying to exercise but maybe overdoing it?

Every time someone asks me how I’m going I respond lately with a shrug of the shoulders and an acknowledgement that I’m doing ok.

I’m not denying the facts, but I feel like I don’t want to make the pain and the muscle spasms the whole focus of my life. 

There are so many people who have to cope with far more than me, so I want to be grateful for my life and where I am right now. I want to focus on other things that are way more important. Don’t worry I am looking after myself too, but I have a greater purpose for my life.

I can’t let it distract me from following God.

I can’t use it as an excuse for why I did not pray today – I’m too tired. So I push through and laugh when I wake up after falling asleep while I am praying. At least I’m trying.

In the book of Hebrews Paul states:

And 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 NIV

I need to keep fixing my eyes on Jesus. He is the most important being in my life. I need to persevere on the race marked out for me.

Where do you need to push through to do what God has placed on your heart?

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love


Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What are the times in your life that you have made one thing your focus to the detriment of others? What did you do to break away from that so that you could focus on more important things?

What do you believe God is asking you to focus on right now?

What changes do you need to make so that you can make that your focus?

3 Comments

  • Anne-Marie Werritt

    Yes I to totally get this tiredness and fatigue are a part of life when I feel like this which is quite often as I juggle family and work issues I say to myself that even Jesus got tired. My main problem is accepting that tiredness is part and parcel of my busy life. The worst thing is to push on through when some rest is most necessary Anne-Marie

  • Dianne Naude

    So witness with your words today Rosemary. God used them to minister to me, to encourage me to keep moving forward even if it is at a snail’s pace. God knows our situation and the intentions of our hearts even if they don’t always translate into the actions we would like. He knows we are frail and loves us despite this. Hang in there and keep going. God has got our backs. ❤️❤️❤️

  • Jean Thompson

    Hi Rosemary I agree with you that we should not focus on our pain, suffering or anything that becomes a distraction from the Lord and our service to him. During confession some months ago I was felling very guilty because I fell asleep nearly every time I said the Rosary. The priest said “Why feel guilty isn’t it good to be rocked to sleep in our mothers arms?” He is right of course. She understand our weakness and frailty and is more than happy to rock us gently if it is what we need at that moment. God bless you and all the family and ministry workers and supporters.

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