My homeschooled daughter received her new curriculum in the mail a couple weeks ago and went straight to the box containing her new 7th grade math books. Normally her favorite subject, she was eager to see the new concepts that awaited her. However, as she fanned the pages of the thick textbook, her face dropped as she looked at me and said, “This looks so much harder! I do not think I will ever be able to learn this stuff!� I took the book from her and showed her a few concepts that she has already mastered and watched her immediately perk up, “Oh yeah! I can do this then!� It became evident that once she learns the rules, listens to instruction, and practices, the somewhat scary and new concepts now seem doable!

In the same way, God is constantly showing us new things. As we make progress to become more like Him, we can look back and remember all that we have learned and use that knowledge to guide us through the next phase. The more we advance in our faith, the more God has to show and teach us. When we keep our eyes on Jesusâ€"we are obedient to the rules of the Holy Spirit, we listen to the instruction of the Bible and we practice the lesson that God is teaching usâ€"we will be able to understand the path that God had predestined for us. Navigating through this world becomes doable when the Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher. To successfully learn all these new concepts, we just need to keep our eyes on Jesus!

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.²

Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being my teacher and my guide when the concepts of life become difficult. Help me to always look to you and trust in your promises to see me through. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV).

2.    “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesusâ€�, by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922.