Blinders
My uncle is a chaplain for a horse racetrack. When I was younger, we went on a family vacation to visit my uncle and his wife, and they took us on a tour of the racetrack. Being an animal lover, I was beyond excited. I knew I was going to get to pet some horses and see them in action! Much to my satisfaction, not only did we get to pet the horses, we also got to see them do tricks. One even bowed down for a peppermint. Such sweet memories I have of that day!
Growing up in church, I've always heard the phrase "Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't look to the right or the left, just keep your eyes on Him."
Keeping your eyes on Jesus is a beautiful thought, but man, it can be difficult! How easily distracted I can be. How easy it is for me to say, "But Jesus, don't You see this? Don't You see how difficult this is? Can't You see all these worries and problems I have?"
In the very moment I begin to think these things, the Father reminded me of the blinders (or blinkers, I learned) on a horse. Have you ever seen a horse wearing those? They are pieces of fabric or leather that slightly cover the horse's eyes, and prevent the horse from seeing behind them or beside them.
The horses, then, can focus what's directly in front of them, instead of getting spooked.The horses can focus on their next steps, rather than getting caught up in what's happening around them. They can focus on where they're being led, and they're choosing to keep looking forward.
I was reminded that I am very much the same as these horses. Putting on "blinders" helps me to stay focused.
Problems, worries, and fears become very small in the light of His love, and the sheer magnitude of who He is.
Choosing to put our blinders on means that we are relinquishing control over things we can't always change, laying them down in the Father's lap, and allowing Him to flood our hearts with His peace that passes all understanding.
Choosing to keep our eyes on the Father doesn’t mean that we’re ignoring the problems and situations around us. It means that we are trusting in the One who holds all of eternity in His hands rather than wrapping ourselves in fear and worry.
Be encouraged, friends. He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20).
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.