Looking Up to Jesus
Looking up to Jesus brings peace and comfort by trusting in His will and guidance in daily life.
Mary Wilder Tileston, through the words of Dora Greenwell and William Bright, emphasizes the importance of finding joy in Jesus by allowing Him to fill our hearts with His joy completely. She encourages offering each day, including its activities and leisure, to God, seeking His presence in every aspect of our lives. Tileston urges believers to align their thoughts, actions, and companionships with what would please the Lord, assuring that focusing on Jesus and His will brings unimaginable peace and comfort.
Text
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
JOHN 15:11
THOU bringest all again; with Thee
Is light, is space, is breadth and room
For each thing fair, beloved, and free,
To have its hour of life and bloom.
Each heart's deep instinct unconfessed;
Each lowly wish, each daring claim;
All, all that life hath long repressed,
Unfolds, undreading blight or blame.
DORA GREENWELL
LET us offer up to Him each day, and all its occupations, yes, and all its relaxations--as it begins, --and beg Him to let us somehow "see" Him throughout it. Let us trust Him with the hallowing of our ordinary "secular" interests, let us try to shape each day's life so as best to please Him. "Would our Lord like me to say this or to read that? Would He sanction this train of thought or of fancy? When I go with that companion, can I imagine His drawing near and walking beside us?" This habitual "looking up to Jesus," this repeated reference to His will and pleasure--does it seem to us likely to be oppressive, restrictive, burdensome? Let us only try it, and judge for ourselves: it will turn out to be a source of peace and comfort indescribable.
WILLIAM BRIGHT
Sermon Outline
- Looking Up to Jesus
- The Importance of Trusting in Jesus
- Hallowing Ordinary Interests
- Seeking Jesus' Will in Daily Life
Key Quotes
“Would our Lord like me to say this or to read that?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“When I go with that companion, can I imagine His drawing near and walking beside us?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“This habitual 'looking up to Jesus,' this repeated reference to His will and pleasure--does it seem to us likely to be oppressive, restrictive, burdensome?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Try to shape each day's life so as best to please Jesus.
- Seek Jesus' guidance in all your actions and decisions.
- Imagine Jesus walking beside you and drawing near in all your daily activities.