Keep Your Eyes on the Lion

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus… Just think of Him… so that you may not grow weary or exhausted… ~ Hebrews 12:2-3 AMPC

I am always surprised that I am always surprised by the devil’s attacks.

In my prayer closet, I have a picture of a warrior with battle scars on her hands and face. The caption reads, “The Battle is real.” Knowing Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10, which define our real enemy and describe his battle plan, I am surprised at myself when I get surprised by the devil’s attacks.

The attacks against us recently were relatively minor, but enough to rattle us just a bit. Enemy attacks are designed to distract you, to get you to look—and even go—the wrong way. The distractions are meant to cause shame and eventually hopelessness.

In Prince Caspian, C. S. Lewis tells a story about how the Kings and Queens of Narnia got off-course and then felt hopeless. Though they were only back in England a year, Narnian time had passed by centuries. Upon their return to Narnia, the Kings and Queens discovered everything had drastically changed. A dwarf, sent by Prince Caspian for help, planned to take the Kings and Queens to Caspian, but none could find their way. After getting horribly lost, they felt defeated and hopeless.

But then something wonderful happened: Aslan!

When she spotted Aslan, Lucy ran to Him, and vowed to follow Him, though her strength and hope were depleted. Immediately, “She could feel Lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up… [and said], ‘I’m ready now.’” Though she and the others followed Aslan on a road they didn’t know, on the edge of cliffs, no one stopped to think about it, “for Lucy had her eyes on the Lion and the rest had their eyes on Lucy.”

Traveling any road isn’t easy, especially when the way is unclear. But following someone is easy, especially someone who’s been there. Then it’s just putting one foot in front of the other and keeping your eyes on them. “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith… Just think of Him… so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds,” (Hebrews 12:2-3 AMPC).

With your eyes fixed completely on Jesus, you won’t have time to remember all your worries. You’ll be so busy focusing on taking the steps He’s taking, you’ll forget to worry about the things that once worried you.