Raise Your Gaze

thoughts, resources, and a little life update

Jul 14, 2023

“We are creatures shaped by what grabs our attention.” — Tony Reinke, Competing Spectacles

Ever since my first born was nine months old, I worked full time. That is, until six years into motherhood when I found myself in a new home, in a new city, and with a new job: keep three kids ages five and under alive. Of course, that job came with countless little jobs. Feed them, bathe them, clean up after them, teach them, feed them, train them, comfort them, feed them again, and the list goes on. (But mostly feed them, am I right?) Of all the jobs I had up to that point—retail, nannying, teaching preschool and 2nd grade, full-time ministry—the stay-at-home-mom gig was certainly the hardest. If you’ve been there, you know that it is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging.

I noticed that it was becoming increasingly hard for me to look beyond what was right in front of me every day. I was so focused on the oftentimes mundane tasks of mothering—making food, doing dishes, cleaning up toys, disciplining and teaching and redirecting—that I became discouraged, wondering if what I was doing even mattered. I’m guessing you’ve been in a similar place before too.

I remember one day, I was wiping down the countertops, and the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Raise your gaze.” I immediately knew what He meant. He saw me there, head down, eyes on the to-do list, heart discouraged. He knew I needed a different perspective. He knew I needed to look up.

I swiftly grabbed my Bible and began looking for Scriptures that spoke to the gaze, eyes, attention, etc. I got a piece of paper, wrote the words “RAISE YOUR GAZE” really large across the top, and wrote out some of the verses, and I taped it to my microwave. Since I spent most of my day in the kitchen, I would see these verses all throughout the day, and the Holy Spirit would remind me to fix my attention on things above. This was transformational for me as I began to understand in a new way that the object of my attention would determine the state of my heart.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Lord has brought this idea back to my mind many times, but this time, with a new word: spectacle. The word bounced around in my mind for several days, and I just kept asking the Holy Spirit to unpack it for me. As I listened, He was teaching me again that the spectacles that capture my attention really matter. My attitude is shaped by the spectacles. My desires are formed by my focus. My affections are adjusted through my attention.

What am I looking at? What has my attention? Because I will be formed by what I see.

Can I challenge you to take some time to ask yourself the same questions? Even better, ask the Lord to reveal to you what has your attention. Ask Him to show you what is forming you. Here are a few verses to help you as you seek to raise your gaze:

So if you have been RAISED with Christ, SEEK the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. SET your minds on things ABOVE, not on earthly things. | Colossians 3:12, emphasis added
Turn my EYES from LOOKING at what is worthless; give me life in YOUR WAYS. | Psalm 119:37, emphasis added
Let your EYES look FORWARD; fix your GAZE straight AHEAD. | Proverbs 4:25, emphasis added
God, you are my God; I eagerly SEEK you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I GAZE on you in the sanctuary to SEE you strength and glory. | Psalm 63: 1-2, emphasis added

This may seem like an odd place to stop, but consider this thought an introduction. In the coming newsletter(s), I plan to unpack this more practically, sharing from personal experience how we can raise our gaze. I believe there are many ways to evaluate and adjust our attention and many areas of life where this can be applied, but there is one place I want to begin: social media.

Upon reading those last two words, you may have rolled your eyes with an, “Oh boy, here we go again.” Or maybe your heart quickened and you thought, “Yeah, I could probably stand to hear what’s coming.” Or maybe you don’t have social media at all and it doesn’t apply to you. Either way, I hope you’ll participate in the poll at the bottom of this email to help me as I continue writing on this topic.

An honest confession: this feels hard and vulnerable. I feel like social media is a bit of a “sacred cow” these days, and most people don’t like to have their social media toes stepped on. I get it! Do I want to be the one doing the stepping? Not necessarily! BUT, I know that the Lord has taken me on a journey of being away from social media for the last seven months, and I believe he has put words in my heart to share in this space. My job is to be obedient to His leading. Thanks for subscribing and reading if it interests you!

Recently Read:

Competing Spectacles by Tony Reinke — This book came to mind soon after the Holy Spirit dropped that word “spectacles” in my heart. I read Reinke’s book, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, and loved it. I had a feeling this book would be excellent too, and I was right. Reinke has a way of gracefully speaking hard-to-hear truths without sugar-coating or compromising.
The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks — My hubby read and recommended this book, and I learned so much from reading it!

Currently Reading:

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott — We’re currently in a teaching series on the Sermon on the Mount at my church. I’m reading this simultaneously, and both have been so good!
Breaking Free from Body Shame by Jess Connolly — This isn’t the type of book that I typically read, but let’s just say I knew I needed help with an attitude adjustment related to body image. This book offers a biblical perspective, and I’m enjoying it so far.

Listening Lately:

Life Update

We’ve been enjoying our summer to the MAX! We escaped the Oklahoma heat and camped in Colorado in June. We had a blast swimming, hiking, and wearing sweatshirts! HA!

The kids (finally) took swimming lessons and have become quite the little fish! Of course, we are grateful for lots of extra time with family and friends.

Nora heads off to Kids Camp next week, and Josh and I are leading a missions team to Alaska! Shortly after our return, we’ll be gearing up for school to start! I’m extra excited this year because all three kids and I will be at the same school! I can hardly believe Halle starts Pre-K next month! I’ll be teaching 5th grade again, and I’m truly excited for another year.

Shameless plug: if you’d like to support me and my students this year, here is my classroom wishlist! :)

Again, thank you for subscribing and reading! I love hearing back from you, so if you have any thoughts to share, questions, or comments, email me or a leave a comment!

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