But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~Ephesians 2:7
The weather man announced snow coming again this week, and the commentary of the masses would lead one to believe doomsday is approaching. You know, it seems to me perspective is something that needs to be taught, caught or bought. Because, right about now, I’d like to be selling perspective to folks that don’t seem to see clearly at all. The fact is, last time I checked, the Meteorologist, you and I really have not one iota of control over the weather.
But, what proceeds out of the mouth in response of that which one has no control over, certainly reveals a lot about ones’ perceptions.
We choose our response.
We choose how we see.
We choose the words we speak.
We choose our perceptions.
Boy, God has been speaking to my heart about these things.
See the weather, whatever it brings is beyond my control.
But my response to circumstances that are beyond my control reveals where my focus is. Where my heart is set. If the compass of my heart is set on the necessity of specific circumstances for peace, joy and contentment, and even trust- I am certainly on a dangerous course.
I need to change the direction of my gaze…
I need to choose to set my heart on things above. I need to look up, away from the forecast, higher than the clouds. Straight into the heavenlies. Right into the face of Grace Himself.
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. ~The Message
Joining in for 5 Minute Frida…a tad late at Lisa Jo Baker’s Place and Barbie’s Weekend Brew!
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
12 responses to “Choosing the Direction of My Gaze”
Currently working on getting my perspective back in order. Thank you Dawn. Love you! Susie
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so very true!!!!
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Share your perspective. Acknowledging that He is nearer than hands & feet…my choice…right now!!!
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This has been on my mind a lot lately too, that I can choose my reactions to circumstances and choose to focus my mind on things above. Beautiful reminder that we do indeed have a choice, and praise God for that! Thanks for sharing.
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Wonderful thoughts! Thanks for sharing!
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Love this so much, Dawn. It is ALL about our perspective, and if our perspective isn’t gazing on the things above, we will be blown about by the things we absolutely have no control over. “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ.” Thank you for your post today.
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Amen, Dawn, amen. I love your heart here – you’re so right on. I’ve been trying to be more mindful of this lately as well, especially how I respond to others and circumstances. I can’t control people or their behaviors toward me, but I sure can choose how I respond to them. I can’t control life or any aspect of it, really. But I can choose to give thanks for the gifts God gives, for his unyielding presence, and how I turn to him a hundred times throughout the day.
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I’m currently working of setting my gaze on things above. Thank you for another beautiful post.
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Thanks for this reminder!
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Dear Dawn,
Thank you for the challenge to keep our focus on God and trust that all our circumstances are firmly in control in His sovereign and perfect control. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, may we take control of our thought and words and glorify our Heavenly Father.
Blessings in Christ…Susan
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Dawn, I am so thankful that I read this today. Thank you for sharing it at The Weekend Brew for me to find it! :) — That passage from Colossians 3 in The Message really grabbed me. I just shared it on my Facebook page. Very powerful!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. )
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It had the very same effect on me! Which is why I actually switched to it from another version that I originally used for this portion! Thanks for dropping in!
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