The Eyes
and Cross of Jesus
Like
everyone else, I am going through some difficult situations right now and I
have been asking people to pray for me and my family. I know Jesus wants us to
be close to Him. He wants to have a very personal relationship with each one of
us. As I pray to Jesus about the chaos and confusion going on around me and in
the world, He revealed two things to me that I feel called to share.
Each
night, for several nights, I poured out my troubles to Jesus in prayer. Each
night He stood right in front of me and placed His face so close to mine that I
could only see His eyes. He asked me to look into His eyes and tell Him what I see.
I saw compassion, unconditional love, peace, that He was in control of
everything and everyone around me. My worry, anxiety, fear, and sadness melted
away in His gaze. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts
out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached
perfection in love.” Jesus gave me a glimpse of His perfect love as I gazed
into His eyes. Every negative emotion melted away and I was filled with
complete trust and confidence in Him. (#1) He reassured me that no matter what was
happening around me, He was taking care of it all. The next day, I took my gaze
off Jesus eyes and became troubled again. As I was pouring my troubles out to
Jesus again, He placed His eyes close to mine again. I felt my troubles melt
away again. By the time I finished pouring my heart out, I knew Jesus had
everything under control and I was at complete peace again. This continued for
several days and nights until I finally surrendered it all to Him. When situations
became stormy during the day, I stopped during the storm and looked into Jesus’
eyes. He immediately reassured me of His unconditional love for me and the
people surrounding me. I felt completely at peace and allowed Jesus to lead my
way through the troubles. I can now see Him working behind the scenes. It is
not how I would handle things or want things to be handled but, I see Him
making subtle differences. Although, this message was not enough for me. I felt
at the same time I must do what I can to help Jesus. I wanted to carry His
cross. So, as I was praying, I saw Jesus trying to carry a concrete crucifix. I
ran over to Him to try and help Him but, He stepped out from underneath it and
led me away from it. (#2) He told me His cross is not mine to carry. He went over to
His wooden crucifix and pulled two splinters off. He tied them together into a
cross and placed them in the palm of my hand. He told me this is the cross I want
you to carry. It is light but very sharp. He told me if I close my hand, I will
hurt myself. So, now I must keep my hand open and gaze into His eyes. I must
keep my hand open to receive Him and His help. I must have complete trust and
faith in Him to take care of everything around me. My spiritual director told
me I was holding a relic, a piece of Jesus’ crucifix. Instinct is to hold on to
it, so it does not drop on the ground or get hurt. Jesus told me to keep my
hand open with faith that He is going to help me carry my cross. If I wrap my
hand around my cross, I am taking over control of it and hurting myself. What I
do with my cross only affects me, no one else. But, if I let Jesus help me
carry it and focus on the unconditional love in His eyes, I have no fear,
anxiety, or worries. I instead have complete trust and faith in Him. Now, when
I have something rock my boat, all I need to do is look up at Jesus and see His
smile. His smile immediately reminds me of this message He placed in my heart.
I
have realized from Jesus’ message, the storm raging around me has no power or
control over me. My advice to you is to spend time staring into Jesus’ eyes and
ask Him to reveal His love to you. When you make that connection with Him, you
will notice a peace and understanding that can only come from Him in a
supernatural way. Jesus also helped me understand that I must leave my hand
open to Him and have faith that my cross (what is happening in my life that I
want to control) will not blow away or get lost. He helped me realize He is
watching over it and take care of it with me.
Matthew 14:27-33 “At once
Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to
him in reply, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He
said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward
Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and,
beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched
out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did
you doubt?’ After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in
the boat did him homage, saying, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’”
If you release the control in
trust to Jesus and remain focused on how much Jesus loves you, then the storm
has no power or control over you or your life. Often your torment of
"needing to control" will give the storm power as you focus on
yourself and drop your focus on Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me,
all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find
rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Jesus showed me He expects me
to carry a cross for Him like He carried for us but, He does not expect it to
be heavy. Our lack of trust and desire to control is what makes our cross
unbearable. He only asks us to trust in Him and if we do, everything will be
okay.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Jesus, thank you for pouring your unconditional
love into my heart. I take for granted the pain and suffering You went through
to free me and give me life. I want You to become the focus of my eyes, my
ears, my voice, and my heart. Breathe life into my soul and bring me to rest in
Your Most Sacred Heart. Fill me with an abundance of Your love so that I cannot
contain it and keep it all to myself. Let Your love flow from me to fill the
hearts of others so that they can know Your love for them and trust in You.
Amen.
-Marianne
Questions and comments can be
emailed to prayer@gojesus.network