Daily Affirmations - Day 1 - Fixing Our Eyes: Orientation Point

This week's Theme: Fixing our eyes

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Day 1: Orientation point

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and He is now seated at the right side of God's throne (Hebrews 12:2 – Good News Translation -GNT).

I was puzzled when I saw the crew from our local Public Works Department pick back up the new trash cans they had just deposited on the curb outside my house. I had heard the truck rumbling down the street, and looked out just in time to see them give — and promptly take away the new township-issued trash cans.

I hurried outside, trying to chase down the truck, determined to find out why the new mandatory-use bins were being deposited at the curb of every other address but mine. I caught up with them at the next corner, about a block and a half away.

The crew member I approached patiently explained that I was "not on the list." I was actually on a different list for another street on another day.

Realization slowly dawned. My corner house straddles two streets, with my driveway and garage facing one street, and my front door and walkway facing the other. Although the busier main street is more convenient for trash services, the orientation point for my address is the smaller side street that my front door faces. The trash cans would be delivered to my official address based on the schedule for that street.

Often, as I walk through my neighborhood and observe other corner houses with addresses that do not "match" the patterns and sequences of the other houses (at least on one side), I take note of the front door and its orientation. And I reflect on how much a metaphor this is for the life of faith.

"My kingdom is not of this world," the Lord Jesus declared (John 18:36). And earlier, as He had prayed for His disciples and for those who would believe in Him, He "reminded" the Father: "They are not of the world, even as I AM not of it" (John 17:16).

The writer of the book of Hebrews understood the importance of an orientation point for true followers of Jesus who live in the world, but are not of it. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Good News Translation urges (Chapter 12, verse 2).

I think of it as the front door of our lives opening towards His grace, His strength, His power, and His blessed example that encourages us to endure. His life, death, resurrection, and glorification are reminders that joy is waiting. Even when we are not on the world's lists. Even when its deliveries pass us by.