We recently got a rescue dog that is afraid of many things outside. Walking down the street a pile of leaves would spook him! In training there is this wonderful command, ‘watch’ where I teach him to keep his eyes on me. When he gets spooked, I command him to watch me and in time he is able to deal with the stressful situations without fear by keeping his eyes on me rather than the thing he is afraid of. It’s just like that with God and us!
It doesn’t seem that long ago when I was afraid of the darkness in this world. I was afraid of what the demonic might do and their power of me if I walked in the fullness of God in my life. I expected ‘attacks’ as I grew in Christ or after ministry and guess what? I got them! I have a saying, “We get what we have faith for.” My faith was more in the attacks coming rather than God’s ability to keep me!
A lot has changed since then. I cannot point to one thing and say this is it, but I’ve been growing and changing and his love is filling me more and more. I am not afraid anymore. I know that He is able, willing and does protect me from all things. My focus is more on Him and His ability to protect me than it is the darkness. My confidence is in Christ and his protection over me only when I keep my eyes on Him rather than on my circumstances.
In life we are constantly given that choice. Which kingdom are we going to look at and focus on? What are we going to behold and hold high in our hearts and minds. I’m not saying I’m perfect or I always keep my eyes on the right kingdom, but boy things sure go differently when I do! We are created to run into the darkness, not flee from it! We can only do this when we have our eyes fixed on Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
I’ll end with one last story because it shows the power of the light we carry over darkness. In one of my trips to India, we went to a Hindu village that had only been reached out to one other time. The village elder was angry with us because “When we showed up, his god left!” At that point we hadn’t prayed for people or anything. We just showed up! God’s power is awesome and the light we carry chases away all darkness!
God, help us to keep our eyes on you. We know your light in us is way more powerful than all the powers on this earth! Fill us with your love today so that we can walk boldly in the confidence of who we are in you. Amen.
Donna McCabe and her husband, Jim founded Ready For the Harvest; a non-profit organization dedicated to training and equipping the Body of Believers to fulfill the great commission. Donna’s passion for walking in love is apparent in the fruit of her daily life and her enthusiasm is truly contagious. She is an instrument of the Lord radiating love to a needy world and travels nationally and internationally preaching, doing conferences and evangelistic meetings. www.ready4theharvest.org