TSMS - From Distracted to Focused

How easy it is to get distracted when life gets busy or stressful. This beautiful old hymn never fails to center me and realign my priorities.

In 1918, a missionary friend gave Helen Howarth Lemmel a tract. Reading it, she was struck by the line: "So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face, and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a new dimness." She later said

Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written the same week, after the usual manner of composition, but none the less dictated by the Holy Spirit.

The song was published that same year and soon spread as a favorite of believers throughout the world.

Amazing Grace: 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel, 2002

Some of you younger gals may not be familiar with Cynthia Clawson, one of the legendary voices in Christian music. She can sing this like no one else!

And while many churches sing the chorus, don't miss the beautiful message of the verses. She just sings the first one, but the others are written below.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Be sure to go by Amy's blog for more songs to bless your weekend!