Focus and Persevere -by Jane Reedy

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 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

 Last year, as we have for the past twenty-five years, my husband and I spent Memorial Day Weekend camping at World’s End State Park. The park is located in a remote area of north-central Pennsylvania. There’s no television, Wi-Fi or cell phone service. In fact, once we get within about 15 miles of the park, it’s hard to find a station on the car radio. We enjoy spending a long weekend knowing that there won’t be any emergency phone calls from work, alerts about the rising COVID cases or updates on the latest gun violence and war in Ukraine.

On Sunday morning I enjoy attending the worship service at the outdoor chapel located in a clearing in the woods. Becky Brown has been the chaplain for as long as I have attended. It’s always nice to hear her voice and greet each other with a hug. The service is like any other: a responsive reading, followed by scripture verses, a message for the children, a message for the adults, concluding with prayer. In between everything we sing. We don’t have musical accompaniment, so Becky picks songs that everyone knows. However, this weekend she picked one that I had never heard, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. The song was simple enough that after I heard a few notes it was easy to sing along.

A line from the song stuck in my head on the walk back to the campsite, “Turn your eyes to Jesus; look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of His glory and grace”. Of course, it’s easy to see God on a bright, spring day walking through the Endless Mountains next to the Loyalsock Creek. There’s not much around to distract from the beauty of nature.

Even though I enjoy camping, I look forward to returning to a warm shower and a comfortable bed. Monday morning we packed up the car and headed for home. Eventually the radio tuned in and we heard the news…the Phillies lost again. That was by no means the worst thing that happened over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, there will always be emergencies, health crises, and violence in our lives. But, we don’t have to drive 150 miles to a secluded spot in the middle of the state to get away from it all. We simply need to block out the media that constantly bombards our lives and focus on Jesus. The rest of the world will seem dim.

Dear God, when the troubles of our world seem to overwhelm us, help us remember to keep our focus on You. Let us feel Your presence when we struggle so that we may persevere and fulfill the plans that you have for us. Amen

Alan Jackson - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Live) - Bing video