Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

A common practice among photographers is applying something called a vignette to a finished image.

If you're unfamiliar with that, the idea is simple: darken the edges of the frame. This helps keep the viewer's eyes focused on the center of the photograph.

You can take it a step further by using a technique called dodging and burning, where you lighten or darken parts of the image to help direct the eye.

It sounds like cheating, but it's pretty common and helps to tell the story the photographer is trying to tell, in an artistic way.

Of course, you can do this through composition, as well. But using these techniques can amplify the composition, helping to say exactly what the artist wants to say.

It's very easy to be lured out of a scene by distractions and other things. And in much the same way, as a Christian, it is easy to be lured by things of this world.

This past Sunday, we sang the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". I'm not sure why, but when it speaks of the things of this world growing dim in the light of Jesus' glory, it made me think of the above example.

A photographer wants the viewer’s eye to go exactly where he wants. In the same way, Christians need to keep their eyes focused on the right thing.

How do we do that, though?

The song answers that question, doesn’t it? Look full in His wonderful face.

How do we do that? By striving to know Him more. Learn more about Him from His word. Study God. Recite the gospel back to yourself. Pray. Have communion with other believers. Prayerfully, and by His grace, live out what He would have for you. See Him at work in your life. Keep your focus on the Author and Finisher of your faith.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2

And, perhaps, as we do this, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.