Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Turn.
Seeing the word in my twitter feed prompts thoughts to flow.
Turn. The meaning of the word comes to mind as a change in position or direction. A switch in focusing on one thing to focus on another. My GPS would call it a re-calibration. It’s a change in course. Sometimes it is our life course.
The familiar words begin to make their way into my mind and soon I’m humming the tune from the old hymn:
“Turn you 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.”
- “There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.”
- “Over 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.”
It’s easy to overlook the truths hidden in the verses as we sing the familiar chorus. It is as we turn our eyes upon Jesus that we find life – abundant and free; we become more than conquerors; we grow deep in our faith to believe His Word; and become focused to share of His salvation.
“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near … Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” (Isaiah 55:6-7. NLT)
Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Fresh Market Friday and Faith ”˜N Friends .
Love that old hymn! And that one word brought all this to mind! Thanks Joanne!
I love being prompted to think about one word. It is amazing all one word can unfold.
This is one of my favorite hymns, too. I’ve returned to it often when I am restless and discontent. Thanks for sharing, Joanne!
Christy, it is amazing to me the comfort, strength, and focus we can find in the old hymns. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing this Alan Jackson version of that hymn.
I wanted to share the entire song not just the chorus with this post.
Beautiful post, and I love the song.
Kind of odd that in dying, I am doing my best to minister to a dying world, one reader at a time. At the end of life my purpose turns up!
Andrew, I think that is one of the most beautiful, meaningful, and powerful statements one can make. Till the end, as long as we are drawing breath, we have purpose. You have inspired so many and I am grateful you and Barbara became a part of the FMF community. Praying for you both!
I love that hymn, Joanne – thanks for unpacking those beautiful words. I love how it starts, too: “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?” The writer understood how we all feel at times – probably she had been there.
To take a slightly different angle, though, I think sometimes focusing on Jesus actually brings the things of earth into greater clarity, not greater dimness. Or maybe it’s just a different way of saying the same thing: that focusing on Jesus helps us prioritize. Anyway, I’m glad you wrote about this song. I just love the way FMF brings out so many different interpretations of the same word.
Jeannie (#66 in the linkup this week)
Great hymn and I enjoyed your insight with “turn”. Over the years I have learned how to turn to Him more and more and it has been so much better than leaning upon myself.