Not How, But Who!
“My gaze is fixed above, where Christ is seated—and where my life is already hidden with Him.”
J.B.S. draws our attention upward—literally and spiritually. The focus is not on how transformation happens, but on Who is responsible for it. The central invitation is to set our sights on Christ Himself, seated at the right hand of the Father, rather than dissecting the mechanics of change.
Love doesn’t analyze processes. It longs for presence. And this longing draws the believer into deeper union with Christ, where the soul finds rest—not in knowledge of steps—but in knowing Him personally. Once assured of our position with Christ, we become free to explore His heart, learning more about Him without being entangled in self-improvement.
This abiding gaze upon Jesus transforms us. The change happens, often without our awareness, simply by being with Him. We find old tastes falling away and new affections arising—not because we worked at it, but because our hearts are occupied by Him. That’s the miracle of grace: we become like the One we behold.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
Come, set your gaze where Christ is seated. You have been raised with Him, and your life is hidden in Me—secure, unshakeable, beloved. Let your affections rise above the clamor of the world, for you are no longer of it. You belong to the heavens, to the glory of the Son, to the eternal embrace of the Father.
There is no need to trace the mechanics of transformation. Look instead to the One who began the work and who carries it to completion. Your calling is not to manage outcomes, but to behold the Lamb. As you look to Him, you are being changed from one degree of glory to another—not by your effort, but by Me.
When you rest in your union with Christ, you no longer strive to be worthy—you delight in the One who has made you His own. I have sealed you. You are complete in Him. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. You are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for a life that flows from above.
So walk with Me—your Comforter, your Guide, your Companion. I do not dwell in some far-off place, but within you, drawing you to deeper fellowship with Christ. And as you draw near, the radiance of His presence imprints itself on your soul. Your heart conforms to His heart, not by your trying, but by your trusting gaze.
Verses woven: Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10
Prayer of Confident Trust
Lord, You have not asked me to master techniques or manage spiritual change—I thank You that You have simply invited me to look to You. And in that gaze, transformation happens, not because I grasped the method, but because I encountered You. You are my joy, my rest, my life. You are the reason I no longer fear my insufficiency, because You are my sufficiency. Today, I don’t need to figure it all out. I only need to look up—where You are—and rejoice that I am already there with You. Thank You for making Your home in me and drawing me to make my home in You.
Devotional Credit:
Excerpt adapted from Abide Above – Daily Devotionals, 4-12 entry by J.B.S.
Photo Credit: Unsplash