Direct My Eyes

Day 19 of 21 Days of Prayer. Direct My Eyes. “Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity; And, revive me in Your ways [word] (Psalm 119:37 NASB).”

God has given us his word to protect us from the pitfalls of life in the midst of a world filled with temptations and technological devices that are good when used appropriately but evil when we spend the majority of our time looking at worthless things.

Brad Williams, Chick-fil-A Operator, said, “I’ve seen customers at our restaurant go from spending quality time and talking with one another to being on their phones the entire meal. There’s just a major disconnect.” Williams initiated the “Chick-fil-A Family Challenge” to encourage families to put their phones in a Chick-fil-A box and talk to each other during dinner. If they succeed with the challenge, each family member gets an Ice Dream Cone. If the family is not successful, they can try again on their next visit.

The accessibility to smart devices has become a gateway to lure us from spending time with each other and God.

On average, how many times do you touch your smart phone in one day?

Heavy smartphone users tap, swipe, scroll, or click their phones 5,427 times a day, while average users touch their phones 2,617 times a day (Patrick Nelson, 2016, Networkworld).

Not all smartphone use is bad. Waze and Google Maps have definitely made navigation easier for us. We can now travel to unfamiliar territories and reach our destination with confidence. We have greater accessibility to banks, restaurants, grocery stores, educational institutions, doctors, and more.

But, on average, many of us spend three hours a day on social media or just looking at worthless things on screens. Yet, we whine and complain about not having enough time in the day to do the laundry; not enough time to volunteer with a local charity; not enough time to complete a course needed for a promotion let alone for personal development; and sadly, but true, not enough time to go to church.

LORD, DIRECT MY EYES

Zig Ziglar says, “Lack of direction, not lack of time is the problem. We all have the same 24 hours in a day.”

This leaves us to answer the questions: Where are we directing our eyes? What are we feeding our souls? What are we devoting our time to, other than work and sleep?

Our eyes are the gateway to our souls. Vanity, worthless things, smartphones, trash TV, or whatever it is that has bewitched us; these things will never feed our souls with the nourishment that’s needed for spiritual growth and development. Whenever we feel an emptiness in our soul, it can be connected to where we direct our eyes.

Vanity drains our energy. Vanity keeps us distracted. Vanity stimulates the flesh while increasing the appetite for more emptiness promoting sin storage. After the sensation passes, the soul is left feeling empty.

When we experience emptiness, it’s because we’re feeding our souls with things that will never satisfy us. Satan has lured us to distractions so that we neglect the spiritual food God gave us to keep us healthy—His Word.

God wants to revive us with his word. He wants to revive you with his word.

RADICAL CHALLENGE

After you read this post, put down your smart device for 30 minutes. Take a moment to pray today’s prayer over your life. Ask God to direct your eyes. Ask God to revive your soul. Read Romans Chapters 6, 7, and 8 everyday for seven consecutive days. God’s word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your paths.

Pray this prayer like you mean it.

Lord, turn away my eyes from looking at vanity; and, revive me in Your ways. Holy Spirit, help me direct my eyes away from vanity. I pray a spirit of conviction over my eyes. I pray a spirit of conviction over my flesh. Revive me, Lord, with your word, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

~inspiring hope, Dr. Regina M. Daigre

P.S.: If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want to be born again, pray this prayer aloud:

Lord God, forgive me for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart. I make you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

WHAT'S NEXT:

Find a church home where the word of God is being taught and Jesus Christ is being lifted up. Study the bible. Love one another, serve, and lead.