There are days I walk through where I have hazy vision. I miss what God is doing all around me because of my to-do lists that have piled up, my questions that go unanswered and my dreams that are not finished. It is easy to lose sight of the Prize, Jesus, when our priorities get mixed up and we begin to worship the created instead of the Creator. It seems that in a moment we easily become distracted, discouraged and disillusioned by the things of this world. All of which don’t even compare to His matchless worth! 
The Lord graciously reminded me recently that in order for Him to do a great work in us, we must be content with our shortcomings, knowing that He is seen as strong in our weakness. (Read John Piper’s post on not wasting our weaknesses!) For quite a while now, I have lived trying to downplay my weaknesses and focus on my strengths. It is often our weaknesses that keep our strength’s from being seen. What if acknowledged our weaknesses to our Perfect God and allowed Him to do His work in us? It is then that we won’t become disillusioned when things don’t go our way and we will see things more clearly.

Fanny Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns in her lifetime. You’ve probably sung quite a few of them! What most people don’t know is that she was blinded at birth. Thought she never had sight, she saw Christ more clearly than most people ever will. The words in her song “Take the World, But Give Me Jesus” have been ringing in my heart lately. Read them and let the power of the gospel overwhelm your heart once more, like it did mine:

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.

Refrain

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll.

Refrain

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Refrain

Take the world, but give me Jesus.
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Refrain

I pray 2014 is the year we saw Christ more clearly than ever before. I aim to boast in my weaknesses so that Christ is seen as great in me! Will you join me?

Your sister on this journey with you,

Gretchen