TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

In Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 2 we read an encouragement.  It says,

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

The Bible is full of verses about keeping our eyes on the Lord.  This is the inspiration of the hymn TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS.

Helen Lemmel was born November 14, 1864 in Wardle, England.  Her father was a minister, and at the age of 12 her family moved to North America, finally settling in Wisconsin.  After extensive training in music, she soon developed a reputation as a brilliant singer.  She travelled extensively throughout the Midwest giving concerts in many churches and auditoriums. 

Although she could have gone on to be a famous musician, her strong desire to serve her Lord led her to teach voice at Moody Bible Institute, and later at the Bible Institute in Los Angeles.  Widely recognized as a woman of remarkable literary ability, Helen wrote more than 500 hymns and poems.  She authored a very successful book for children entitled, "Story of the Bible," and composed musical pieces for children.

In 1918, a missionary friend gave her a tract entitled ‘Focused’.  The words in this pamphlet had a significant impact upon Helen when it encouraged readers to look towards Jesus because the things of this earth will then acquire a strange new dimness.  In her soul she began singing the chorus.  Within a week she had composed the rest of the hymn.

How easy it is, even for people of faith, to get caught up in the ‘things of the earth,’ so that we miss the blessing of a personal fellowship with Christ in our daily lives.  Helen’s hymn encourages us to focus intentionally by turning our eyes on Jesus!  Helen passed away in 1961 at the age of 94…yet her inspired hymn instructs us still today.