A Fixed Point By Liz Melville

My husband and I recently experienced a moment together on the West Coast that was easily one of the top ten we’ve shared. Let me paint the picture.

Jonathan and I were in San Diego for Chick-Fil-A’s annual conference. The last day had just wrapped, and we took an Uber to Coronado Island to share a dinner alone before returning home to our three blessings. We arrived on the island a little early and visited the famed Hotel Coronado. Right as we stepped off the back patio of the hotel onto the sandy beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we watched the sun’s final minute of descent over the horizon. It dramatically disappeared to the applause of spectators. I admit, I got teary-eyed.

Jonathan and I have both witnessed sunsets before, but nothing like that. Not only did we notice the sun’s rapid disappearance, but that fixed point over the ocean allowed us to perceive the earth’s rotation! It was breathtaking. It was orienting. It made me feel like a small cog in a big machine.

The more I meditated on that experience, the more I realized that Scripture is that for us.

When I stare long at the world and take my eyes off Christ, the movement in my own heart and in those around me is dizzying. It truly feels like those proverbial waves tossing me to and fro until I do not know what’s up or down, right or wrong.

When I fix my eyes on Jesus, though, I can see my blessings. I feel rightly small, and I’m reminded of His power over creation, how He’s upholding the universe (Heb. 1:3). When I calibrate my conscience to the truth of God’s Word, I can see true north.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Imagine we are groping around in the dark, searching for the safe path forward through treacherous terrain. We know venturing from this path is sure destruction.

When we’re tempted to cower in fear—assuming we are even rightly perceiving the threats all around—we can take hold of verses like Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places(Eph. 6:12).

We can cry out for help, to be reoriented to what is right, to the God who never leaves us or forsakes us (Heb. 13:5). We can find solid footing on the rock that is Christ. His Word instructs us. It tells us to put on the armor of God. He outlines the gifts He has given us to persevere, to stand against Satan. In addition to His Word, we have prayer, the lifeblood of the Christian. We can cry out to Him in our weakness and dependence and ask Him to do what only He can. He gives us His Spirit, and by it, wisdom, help, and strength. We also have community. We have wise counsel in other believers. We have tangible support. We have accountability and intercession.

Jonathan and I did not arrange our last evening in California to witness that glorious sunset. God did. After a weary season of feeling disconnected from my heavenly Father, He led us to that spot, forced us to look up, and reoriented us to the world around us. Just for a moment, we noticed His grander purpose carrying on around us, in spite of us even. We felt the earth continuing its daily rotation. We thanked Him for His good gifts, and then we proceeded onward, back to the path and the work He has for us. In that moment, we were strengthened and reminded that He is indeed with us.

Lord, give us eyes to see.