"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" - The Story Behind the Hymn

The story of Lilias Trotter (1853–1928) has become one of the most fascinating and beautiful that I have recently learned. She challenged the world’s meaning of success and fulfillment. Her personal devotion to Christ is inspiring for all who desire to live for the glory of God.

Lilias was born into a wealthy Victorian family. She was also a talented artist, attracting the attention of John Ruskin, the noted Victorian art critic and Oxford lecturer. (If you haven’t seen her artwork, then you need to immediately do a Google search and look up her stunning watercolors.)

In 1874, Lilias experienced a powerful encounter with the Lord and she felt called into full time Christian service. In radical obedience, she left the promising artistic career that Ruskin offered her and the comforts of England for a life of missionary service in Algeria. Trotter wrote that she could not give herself “to painting and continue still to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.’”

For the next forty years, this creative, dynamic woman poured out her life, her artistic abilities, and her linguistic skills to make the Gospel known to Muslim women. Her journals tell of her daily experience of desperately depending on the divine resources of the Holy Spirit.[1]

Art and text by Lilias Trotter 

Besides her art and the souls she impacted directly, one of her greatest contributions is the inspiration behind a beloved hymn. Trotter had been reading Heb. 12:2 in her morning devotions, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." and thinking of how Christ can turn our weariness and trouble into peace and joy. Trotter recorded the following thought in her journal, “Turn your soul’s full vision on Jesus and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him and the divine attributes by which God’s saints are made, even in the twentieth century, will lay hold of you.” Later, some of Trotter’s artwork and her writing was made into a pamphlet.  

In 1924 a song writer named Helen Lemmel was reading that pamphlet written by Lilias Trotter when she came across the above quotation. Lemmel was touched and wrote of that experience: “Suddenly as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still.  Singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus of the hymn. ‘Turn your 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.’ Since its composition, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus has become a favorite in Sunday morning worship, especially for invitationals and altar calls. In a sad irony, Lemmel actually became blind after writing the hymn and her husband left her. Despite her adversity, Lemmel continued serving the Lord and wrote over 500 hymns.[2]

Lilias Trotter faithfully served the Lord in an obscure place facing all kinds of adversity as well. She completed hundreds of sketches and watercolor paintings. Confined to bed during her last years, Trotter devoted herself to prayer, writing, and sketching. As her body failed, her mind remained clear, even at the end asking prayer for the strength to dictate a letter to Amy Carmichael of India, with whom she had regular correspondence. While attendants sang a hymn, she exclaimed, “A chariot and six horses.” “You are seeing beautiful things,” someone asked. “Yes,” she said, “many, many beautiful things.”  

-DM  

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[1] Paula Hemphill, “Missionaries You Should Know: Lilias Trotter,” IMB, 12 June 2019 < https://www.imb.org/2019/06/12/missionaries-you-should-know-lilias-trotter/>

[2] Robert J. Morgan, Near to the Heart of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2010), 327.

A Big Drunk Becomes a Big Giver

 

There were lots of reasons the famous Texan, Sam Houston, was referred to as “Big Drunk.” He was larger than life, and he was rough around the edges. He was a life-long brawler that could handle himself in a fight, whether it was a political one, a military one. Then he met Jesus and everything changed.            

Finally, after 61 years of fighting the English, Mexicans, fellow politicians, and his own sin, he turned his life over to Christ. On the day that Houston was to be baptized a crowd gathered by the riverside to watch. As Houston walked down to the water’s edge, the preacher noted that Houston still had his watch on his hip. He pointed it out to Houston, and he handed it to a friend. “You’d better hand him your wallet, too,” remarked the well-intentioned pastor. “No, I believe not pastor. I’m afraid it needs baptizing, too,” responded Houston.

From that time forward, Houston became a stout supporter of Christ’s cause. He paid half of the pastor’s salary, and even gave generously to Baylor University for the training of church leaders. When asked about his giving Houston always replied, “But that’s what’s supposed to happen when a big drunk meets a big Savior.” [1]     

Many of God’s people today need baptized billfolds! Studies among church experts show that consistent tithers are only about 20% of the average congregation. Thus, the old principle that 20% of the church is responsible for 100% of the giving. Even more appalling is the stat that in a year the average Christian only gives 2.5% of their total income to their local church. This number has dropped, yet records show that even during the Great Depression, the average tither gave 3.3% of their income![2]

Read through the Gospels and you’ll see that Jesus taught a lot about money. In fact, He preached more about stewardship than He did the doctrine of hell. “19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20). 

In its most basic form stewardship is Lordship. When Christ is Lord of your life that includes your finances. If you aren’t giving, then you are in disobedience to Christ. Many Christians say, “I can’t give because I can’t afford it,” but they can afford to go out to eat, they can afford a car payment and a vacation. Friends, that’s called “idolatry” and that’s when we love, fear, serve and worship something more than Christ. Plus, if you don’t give to the work of God then not only are you robbing Him, but you are robbing yourself of potential blessings (Mal. 3:8-10). Are you living in contradiction? “I can trust God with my eternal soul, but not my earthly treasure.”  

Paul said that the Macedonian Christians were examples of great grace giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:5 it says, “And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” Notice three important aspects about their attitude towards giving. They gave sacrificially, spontaneously, and spiritually. The model from the Macedonian Christians should challenge us to trust God more. Lord give us greater faith to lay up treasure in heaven!

-DM

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[1] Madge Thornall Roberts, The Star of Destiny: The Private Life of Sam and Margaret Houston (University of North Texas Press, 2001), 252.

[2] Jayson D. Bradley, “Church Giving Statistics, 2019 Edition,” PUSHPAY 18 July 2018 <https://pushpay.com/blog/church-giving-statistics/>

A Theology of Ironman

The following is my personal notes / reflections on Gospel parallels with the MCU Iron Man trilogy. Theses notes formed the basis of my discussion on the podcast “The Inner Light Project,” episode 2. I focused on four major themes that emerged as I watched the character of Ironman develop. If you would like to listen to the podcast here is a link.  

Theme 1 – Crisis Brings Change   

Tony Stark is deeply flawed character, which is why he is so relatable. In the beginning, he is a sarcastic, selfish arrogant “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” Outwardly successful, Stark is really a “a man who has everything, and nothing.” In many ways, Stark perceives himself to be God-like. He stretches out his arms at a weapons test and, at his command, the mountains melt like wax (Psalm 97:5; Micah 1:4; Nahum 1:5). His latest and most advanced weapon is named “Jericho” after the biblical battle in which God himself flattened the city walls (Joshua 6:15-20).

Stark does not really understand or care how Stark Industries weapons are creating death and destruction around the world. It is only when his caravan is attacked and he is taken hostage does he see how his creation is brining evil into the world, because his weapons are finding their way into the hands of terrorists. Its in captivity that he can no longer rely on his money, comfort, or connections to save him. The cave experience is also a time to reflect on his life choices.

(This same trope is used again in Iron Man 3. Stark loses everything in an attack, including his swanky home and high-tech lab. He crash lands in a po-dunk town and his suit malfunctions. Once again, he stripped down to nothing and Stark must find his identity again.)  

Many times, in life we are not ready to deal with our personal sin and the hurt brought about by our decisions until we are cornered into a crisis and all our pride, health, resources are stripped from us. The reality is that personal crisis is the greatest agent of change.    

We don’t realize the hurt we have caused others until God kicks the props out from under us. None of us plans for the calamity to strike, but when it does it can be the greatest force for transformation in our lives. Change and repentance will only take place in the “cave” when we are forced to look inward at our own flaws and brokenness.

The Scriptures are full of examples of people who were humbled by crisis and changed as a result—Jacob (Gen. 32 – wrestling with God), David (murder and adultery exposed in 2 Sam. 16), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2 and 4 – made to live as a beast for 7 years). Paul (blinded on the road to Damascus, Acts 9).    

Theme 2 – A New Heart

One of the hallmarks of Stark’s character is the arc reactor that he creates and imbeds in his chest. The reactor is meant to stabilize fragments of metal in his heart and keep these shards from going deeper and killing him. Although he is a hero capable of good deeds, Tony Stark is man with a broken, corrupted heart. The reality of death constantly dogs his steps. Were it not for advanced technology he would be dead.

Likewise, the Bible says that we are all fallen creatures and our hearts are corrupted by sin. When the Bible used the term heart, it’s not referring to the organ in our chest responsible for pumping blood. But heart refers to our soul—the seat of mind, will, emotions and morality.

In fact, the Bible has a lot to say about heart condition. “The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it” (Jer. 17:9). During the time of Noah, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matt. 15:19).

When it comes to humanity, the heart of the problem is a problem of the heart. It is our corrupted nature dooms us to failure, and even the penalty of death. What we need is heart change, which God promises us, “26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ez. 36:26). “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). 

The Gospel addresses man’s sin problem, offers forgiveness and new nature, 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone be in Christ He is a new creation.”

Theme 3 – A Hero with Scars  

Iron Man 2 has an interesting line spoken by the villain, Russian super-genius Ivan Vanko. Vanko says that it’s not necessary to kill Tony Stark to make him ineffectual: “If you make God bleed, then people will not believe in him.”

By the way, Vanko likely acquired this theological conviction from watching an episode of Star Trek entitled, “The Paradise Syndrome.” After landing on an earthlike planet, Captain Kirk revives a stricken child with artificial resuscitation, causing the natives to think he is a god who has the power of resurrection. Later, the village medicine chief cuts Kirk on the hand and, seeing the blood, claims he cannot be a god by stating, “Behold a god who bleeds!”

This is an interesting counter-perspective to Christianity, because Jesus is the only leader of a major faith who 1) claims to be God and 2) shows vulnerability. In his incarnation we see Jesus exhibit every form of human weakness—he weeps (John 11:35), he gets tired (Mk. 4:38), he hungers and thirsts (Matt 4:11; John 19:28), he feels stress (Luke 22:22), he bleeds and dies.

The Bible says, “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Jesus is fully God and fully man. It is through weakness that He gains victory. Jesus defeats His enemy by the greatest show of weakness possible—death on a cross. Christianity is the only faith that adequately deals with the problem of evil and suffering because God in the person of Christ enters into the suffering of humanity and partakes of the pain fully.  

Theme 4 – Self-Sacrifice

In the first Avengers movie we see a clash of ideologies between Iron Man (Tony Stark) and Captain America (Steve Rogers). In many ways, Stark is the opposite of Steve Rogers. Stark is a man with limitless resources, yet in the beginning he lacks the moral character of a hero. Rogers on the other hand, who in the beginning is a man with no resources, yet he has all the moral character to be a hero.

These two men come from different times and have differing perspectives on nearly everything. One of the charges that Rogers levels against Stark is that he doesn’t have the true strength of a hero, which is the moral fiber to sacrifice oneself for others. Rogers does this in his first movie, by crashing the HYDRA flying wing into the North Pole to spare the people of NYC.

However, at the end of the movie we see Stark making the big sacrifice flying through the wormhole during the Battle of NY to redirect the nuke missile away from the city. Tony does find the moral strength to give his life, even though he falls back through the wormhole and lives to fight another day—we see that he is willing to give his life.

Tony’s big sacrifice comes in Avengers: Endgame when he sacrifices himself by taking on the infinity gauntlet and snapping Thanos and his cronies out of existence. The energy unleashed by “the snap” takes Tony’s life, while saving his friends.  

Of course, sacrifice is at the core of the Gospel message. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus as the sin-bearer, Lamb of God, laid down his life for fallen humanity, taking our sin and punishment on the cross. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). It’s interesting that Thanos is Greek for “death.” Tony defeats the embodiment of Death by sacrificing his life, Jesus defeats death by giving His life, “9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9).  -DM

The Staines Family: A Study in Surrender

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  (Romans 14:7-8)

 

Raised in Australia, Graham Staines took his medial skills to a leprosy hospital in Orissa State, India. His wife was a nurse and they had a daughter and two sons. Along with his medical work, Graham participated in evangelistic crusades, especially promoting the Jesus film among the Hindu villages. Graham was no stranger to facing hostility from locals who opposed the Gospel.   

In January 1999, Graham was conducting a five-day open-air evangelistic “jungle camp.” His sons, Timothy (age 9) and Philip (age 7), were with him. On the evening of January 22 Graham and the boys retired for the night in their station wagon, when a group of militant Hindus attacked them with clubs and set fire to the vehicle. Trapped inside his car by the mob, the missionary died holding his boys, while rescuers were threatened by the mob to stand back.

Graham Staines had been working for thirty-four years in India. K.R. Narayanan, then president of India, denounced the barbarous killing as the nation was baffled how such a precious soul could be murdered without cause. Lepers at the hospital that Graham had treated buried the missionary and his boys. His widow Gladys and daughter Esther consoled mourners with Scripture and a powerful testimony. Gladys said, “I have only one message for the people of India. I’m not bitter. Neither am I angry. But I have one great desire: that each citizen of this country should establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who gave his life for their sins. Let us burn hatred and spread the flame of Christ’s love.” Then, perhaps most remarkable of all—Esther was asked how she felt about the murder of her dad, and the thirteen year old, said, “I praise the Lord that He found my father worthy to die for Him.” Then she led the crowd in a hymn: “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus / No not one, no not one / None else could heal all our souls’ diseases / No not one, no not one.”

Later Gladys told friends and reporters that about ten days before the killing she had been urged in prayer to give to Jesus all she had. In her journal she wrote the words, “Lord Jesus, I am willing. Take all that I have. I surrender them all to you.” Gladys remained in India until 2004, at which time she returned to Australia so Esther could finish her education.[1]  

What would your life (and mine) look like if we were as surrendered to the Gospel as the Staines family was? When we are surrendered to Christ some amazing things follow as a result: (1) We have a peace that passes all understanding as we commit our lives into God’s hands, (2) We find the supernatural ability to forgive, grieve, let go of pain and move on with life (3) We will have a bold courage to obey Christ no matter the cost because we are not our own, we have been “bought with a price.” Join me in praying today, “God less of me and more of You. Not my will, but Thy will.” -DM  

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[1] Foxe: Voices of the Martyrs (Washington D.C., Salem Books, 2019), 297-299.  

Praying for our Lost Friends

George Muller (1805-1898) of Bristol, England was an amazing man of prayer. In fact, he kept a detailed journal and recorded over 30,000 instances of specific answers to prayer. Muller was well-known for his ministry to thousands of orphans (over 120,000), which were supplied by the power of prayer. Starting without a penny and refusing to ask for money, Muller prayed in a whopping 129 million British pounds over his lifetime to support his orphanages!

Another interesting aspect of his prayer life was his burden for the lost. Muller told of encountering a missionary who was concerned for the salvation of each of his six sons. The man had prayed for many years without seeing a change and asked Muller for advice. He responded, “Continue to pray for your sons without ceasing, and expect an answer to your prayer, and you will have to praise God. I will join you in praying them to Jesus.” Six years later Muller encountered the man again, who told him that five of the six came to the Lord within an eight-day period, just two months after they had first met and covenanted to pray. The man was now praying confidently for his sixth son. Soon after their second meeting, Muller learned of the last son’s conversion.[1]

Muller also interceded for the souls of his lost friends. He wrote, “In November 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without a single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land, on the sea, and whatever the pressure of my engagements might be. Eighteen months elapsed before the first of the five was converted. I thanked God and prayed on for the others. Five years elapsed, and then the second was converted. I thanked God for the second, and prayed on for the other three. Day by day, I continued to pray for them, and six years passed before the third was converted. I thanked God for the three, and went on praying for the other two. These two remained unconverted.”

Thirty-six years later he wrote that the other two, were still not converted. He wrote, “But I hope in God, I pray on, and look for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be.” In 1897, fifty-two years after he began to pray daily, without interruption, for these two men, the fourth was converted. Finally, the last man became a Christian a few years after Muller’s death.[2]

Persevering in prayer isn’t easy, but Scripture and history are full of examples that show how much it matters. Jesus encouraged His disciples to “always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Paul, Silas, and Timothy told the Christians in Thessalonica that they prayed “night and day” for them (1 Thess. 3:10). Epaphras was not a superstar preacher or missionary, but he was committed to “always wrestling in prayer” for church in Colossae (Col. 4:12).

I have seen the power of prayer in my own life. Three years ago, I started praying for the salvation of my neighbor. At the time, this man was a skeptic. He said he believed in a God, but that the Bible was probably myths. This fella was hard-hearted to say the least. He ended up moving away and I lost contact with him. But, this spring he sent me an email out of the blue. He said he wanted to talk. When we met, I was amazed to hear how he now believed in God because he had witnessed tangible evidence of God working in his life. I explained the Gospel to him and urged him to repent of his sins and trust in Christ as Savior. The next morning, I woke up and I had received a text message on my phone from him in the middle of night. Early that morning, this man that I thought was hopeless went out in the woods, got down on his knees and begged Jesus to save him!

You may not be able to travel the world, sing a song or preach powerfully, but you can be a prayer partner. I wonder who was praying for you leading up to your life-changing conversion? Now that you know the grace and mercy of Christ, it’s your turn to be somebody else’s intercessor. The church needs men and women of prayer who will continually lift up the lost. Why? Because the business of soul winning is a battle of spiritual warfare. Call their name out to the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction. Pray that God would send a faithful witness into their lives who will share the Gospel (and be prepared to be the answer to that prayer too!). In this invisible war, prayer is our greatest weapon. Don’t stop praying, because you never know when the next one will be the one that leads to spiritual break though. -DM

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[1] “Going the Distance,” Our Daily Bread, <https://ourdailybread.org/resources/going-the-distance/>

[2] Roger Steer, George Muller: Delighted in God! (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1981), 246-247.