Here in the West we have had days and weeks of smoke hanging heavy in our skies from the fires that have ravaged huge numbers of forests, fields, homes and lives. The pall of smoke has been miserable and in many situations downright dangerous. Our air quality went to “hazardous” and stayed that way for days. Even while staying indoors my eyes stung, my head clogged and even my mental outlook was clouded by the gloomy overcast that kept the sun hidden, the sky murky. This is such a vivid picture of our spiritual condition when we are not looking to God for His pure “breath of life.”

I have been enduring the actual smoke but also a spiritual “smoke haze”. My pre-occupation with social media accounts, computer games, and all the political upheaval have distracted me from clear view of the glory of my God. It is a dangerously toxic spiritual smoke haze. Consequently my focus on the here and now has blurred my spiritual vision, clogged my mind, and nearly paralyzed me with anxiety. Every aspect of the spiritual smoke haze has me walking farther and farther from Jesus’s side.

Don’t get me wrong. These things are not sinful or wrong, but they have become my focus. They have covered my gaze with toxic spiritual smoke. There is an old song titled “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.” It goes like this:

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

 

Oh 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

 

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

 

You can listen to the song sung by Lauren Daigle here:

 

This song reminds me that my gaze has been in the wrong direction. I need the Holy Spirit to blow away the smoke of Satan’s lies, and distractions. I need the breath of God to revitalize me. God tells me he will give me clean, fresh, spiritual air:

“I will put my Spirit [Breath] within you and you will come to life…” Ezekiel 37:14

I cry out to God for clear vision of my beloved Jesus.

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on jus, that we would be called children of God; and such we are…Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”  I John 3:1, 2

I ask Him for more of Jesus as Living Water to sooth my parched throat.

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

I call for His Word of wisdom to break the clogs of wrong thinking.

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to your dwelling places…to God my exceeding joy…” Psalm 43:3, 4

I beg Him to whisper to me again that I am in His care and under His protection no matter the day’s alarming news.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty…He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91: 1, 4

My soul cries “Come, Lord Jesus!”

““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Revelation 22: 16, 17

QUESTION: Is your spiritual vision clouded by Satan’s smoke of lies and distraction? What will you do now to “turn your eyes upon Jesus?”