Music Monday: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” by Rosemary Siemens
by: Debbie Waltz
Over the last few weeks, I have read my way through CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia Series. While I’ve watched every film adaptation of these books, I must say that nothing can truly compare to the experience of reading the original works themselves. I vaguely recall my mother reading to me as a child, one of these books possibly, but I don’t have a clear memory of this. Because I possess a sensitive nature, topics such as magic have always had a slightly unsettling effect on me, a reaction that honestly continues to this day.
While the stories presented are fictional, this literature excels at introducing children to concepts such as faith, subtly weaving these ideas into narratives that are both entertaining and educational. These narratives captivate the imagination while simultaneously fostering deeper conversations that explore the intricacies of life and the existence of a Creator, thus enriching our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Later on this week, I plan on blogging more about An Adult’s perspective on this series and what I have learned from it by reading it in its entirety.
For now, though, I would like to comment on this idea of childlike faith. Our church discusses this topic in exploring the book of Hebrews. On the surface, the book’s theme is quite simple- God is the greatest there is. Not only does God show himself faithful throughout the Bible, but throughout our mistakes as well. Along with learning about the “GOATS” (Greatest of All Time) of the Faith, we can also relate to their struggles. They are human, just like we are. Although centuries apart, they faced some of the same struggles that we encounter today.
As Christians, we are created with one divine purpose- to give glory to God in all the aspects of our lives.Psalms 100:2-3 reminds us, “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his.”(NIV) But this isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Though by accepting Jesus, we are a new creation spiritually. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We live in this fallen world and are still subject to its temptations.
This is why it’s so important we fix our eyes on Christ.
Yes, I’ve used this song more than once for Music Monday.
The song “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” holds significant importance as it serves as a reminder of the foundational aspects of our faith, emphasizing the belief in God and His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. This timeless melody reminds us that even in the hardest of circumstances, our soul can find rest in him, knowing that because our faith our fate is secure. For Matthew 10:28 (in the NLT) says: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill the body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell”
