captive gaze

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

 My Abba,

When I look back on what I have allowed to dominate my mind over the years, I know I have not always invested myself well. Many times, I have not set my affections - my heart and mind - on what is precious to you. I have not focused on who you are and what you desire.

But when I truly embrace reality, you are the only one with whom I continually want to fill my mind. Then, all this perishing window dressing moves into proper perspective. Please don't let me obsess about earthly things. I don't want to belong to, be held captive by, or be dominated by them.

I confess that sometimes I wake up and am beguiled by the samba of the mundane. When I am not looking for you, I can wind up dancing with the dust bunnies of life. Not my best choice of partners.

Other times, I am dominated by the throb of pain and disappointment. I can’t seem to look away. Then there are the times when I find myself zeroing-in on your good gifts, to the exclusion of you, the generous Giver. I know when that happens I have missed the foremost point of your generosity.

I don't want to go back to ignoring, denying, and pretending that life with all its pain and promise is not happening. I just want to give my heart and mind to you and not to the battering ram of my circumstances. Please rescue me today from the foolish idols that besiege me.

Don’t let me be tempted by a timeshare in a fool’s paradise. Anchor me in the reality of your love.  

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

You know from your dance training that you will move toward the object on which you "spot" or focus, when doing turns across the floor. You stare at one spot as long as you can when turning, and then snap your head back around to refocus on that spot. If you practice that relentlessly, you succeed in moving gracefully across the floor.

But remember how dizzy you became when you lost your "spot?" You would either wind up sprawled out on the floor or, if you managed to stay on your feet, clutching the wall while trying to not reveal to others that your world was spinning out of control.

The music of this world taps out a fast, delirious rhythm. You will lose your balance, if you set your eyes on the scenery or circumstances around you. When subtle distractors or strong-armed captors surround and harass you, don’t lose your focus. Set your sights on me. I am the only one worthy of your captive gaze. 

I love you,

Abba

photo: silkstocking