“Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

-Psalm 25:15

Four years ago when I got my learner’s permit, one of the first things I learned about driving was not to watch the cars around me. I know keeping your eyes on the road sounds like common sense to most people, but as a new driver my natural tendency was to keep an especially close eye on the surrounding traffic. The passing SUV, the oncoming 18-wheeler, the pedestrian in the crosswalk – all of these were things which demanded my attention, but the moment I made them my primary focus I would inevitably begin to swerve in that direction. It didn’t matter how much I intended to avoid them; if my eyes weren’t on the road ahead, it became impossible for me to drive straight.

Four years ago when I became a Christian, one of the first things I learned about serving God was not to be distracted by the world around me. I know keeping your eyes on Christ may sound like common sense to some people, but as a new believer my natural tendency was to keep an especially close eye on the things of earth. The evening news, our failing economy, my future – all of these were things which demanded my attention, but the moment I gave them preeminence to my walk with God I inevitably began to lose sight of eternity. It didn’t matter how much I desired to be spiritually minded; if my eyes weren’t on the path ahead, it became impossible for me to walk the straight and narrow (Rom. 8:6; Matt. 7:14).

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

-Isaiah 45:22

Perhaps you, too, have learned the hard way what happens when you take your eyes off of God. The tug of secondary priorities seemed a lot more noticeable than the still, small voice of God and now you’re stuck in a rut with no idea how to get out (1 Kings 19:12). If this is you, understand that getting out of a mess is as simple as getting into one: simply look in the right direction. “The LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” (Isaiah 59:1) All He asks is that you turn to Him (Deut. 4:29-31).