Turn Your Eyes

I was packing up my computer at work to head home on a normal Wednesday when one of my friends texted me in a group chat saying that Charlie Kirk had been shot. I immediately got on Instagram to see if I could get more information, and just like in the divisive year of 2020, social media was more overwhelming than I could bear.

As I was driving home, I prayed for Charlie's wife Erika, their two kids, everyone that was present, and what our country would look like after this monumental event. The friends in my group chat kept sending updates as I drove home, and we reflected on the strong voice that he is for our generation.

In those moments, we shared how hard the past week had been with all of the tragedies we'd seen across our country. I prayed that the ripples of revival that had seemed to erupt across college campuses where football players were sharing the gospel and baptizing people in the back of moving trucks would catch fire. I prayed that we wouldn't see a need for a political revolution, but a revival solely based on turning our lives over to proclaiming Jesus as King.

Right before I pulled into my driveway, my friend texted two words – "He's gone."

As I drove down my driveway, I could see in the distance my husband walking home from his parent's house next door on our family compound with our daughter riding on his shoulders. I thought of Erika, who also has a three-year-old, and I burst into tears thinking how devastated I would be if my daughter lost her Daddy at such a young age.

Charlie was martyred doing what God had called him to do—preaching the gospel and showing how a biblical worldview shapes every space we enter and every opinion we form. He believed having a biblical worldview brought order to civilization and glory to God. He shared his conviction that life begins at conception—agreed upon by both God and science—and that it should be protected no matter the circumstance, location, or stage of development.

He shared the truth in love, never bullying or silencing those who disagreed with him. Instead, Charlie gave them a microphone. His greatest goal was to share the good news of the Gospel—that when we turn away from our desires and follow Jesus, we are reconciled to a holy God and discover lasting purpose in this life.

Ever since Charlie's death, there's been a heaviness because of the division it has caused—between believers and non-believers alike. There's been a boldness that has at times been misdirected for temporal things instead of eternal ones. I want to give you four key things that I believe will not only bring peace to your mind, but will allow you to be a light in this world and do what really matters—go and make disciples.

1) Read Your Bible.

I will be the first to admit that I have gone to the news and social media before I have gone to my Father and His Word. Here's the thing—there is a lot of noise out there, and if you are not anchored in the Truth, you will get swept right up in it. It is natural for us to be enraged when we read something. But when we are saturating ourselves in the truth of God's Word, the Holy Spirit will bring to mind that we are to "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).

According to the Barna Group, 6% of self-proclaimed Christians have a biblical worldview. Let this not be us. In order for our lives and our minds to be transformed, we are to know the Word, believe it, and do what it says. We do this not out of obligation, but because we have been so radically changed by the gospel that our biggest desire in life is to know God, and to love Him more.

2) Pray.

I have seen so many people say such terrible things about prayer and the belief that it is ineffective. My heart aches for them because my biggest hope is that they would be so shaken up by a miraculous act that the only explanation is God. I have witnessed God answer prayers that have changed my life. Above all, prayer has been the place where God has changed me most.

Praying is not just rubbing a magic lamp and having a "Genie" grant every wish. It is a living and active relationship and conversation with the Creator of the Universe! Praying allows me to admit every single day that He is God and I am not. There are matters too big for my finite brain to handle, and when I hand them over to my Father and say, "I don't know what You're doing, but I trust You," it changes everything. There is nothing more powerful than a people so sold out for the fact that anything is possible with God.

As Charles Spurgeon once said: "If you believe in prayer at all, expect God to hear you. If you do not expect, you will not have. God will not hear you unless you believe He will hear you; but if you believe He will, He will be as good as your faith."

Believe that God hears you. Believe that He is sovereign over it all. Pray for those who have hearts so hard that they are unable to see His goodness and kindness, and pray they would experience Him. Pray for those hurting and confused across our country, and pray that God would plant people at the right time to lead people to seek Him.

3) Get off the internet and go talk to people in real life.

This seems like a no brainer, but it can feel impossible to do when we have any answer, any video clip, any hot take, and any instant gratification we can imagine in our back pockets. Take an inventory of your heart and mind right now.

How do you feel when you doom scroll on X? Do you feel angry and hopeless when you've scanned through hundreds of videos on TikTok? Do you feel anxious when you're trying to keep up on all the news pouring in on Instagram, Facebook or your browser news page?

Do yourself a favor and delete the apps off your phone just for a weekend. Take a walk in a park. Have real conversations with the people in your actual life instead of being tempted to leave a hateful comment on someone's post that you haven't seen since high school.

Join a small group at your church and find a safe place to share your confusion and disappointments. If you have friends or family that have had a different reaction than you over the events of these last few weeks, sit down with them over a meal and ask them questions. Understand where they're coming from--not to convince them of your perspective in the moment, but to be a bridge.

Remember, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’ (Ephesians 6:12)." Life is meant to be lived face-to-face, yet the internet can trick us into thinking we’re safe while quietly tearing down real relationships. Sometimes the most faithful choice is to take a step back—your soul needs it.

4) Turn your eyes to Jesus.

No matter where you find yourself today, there is hope. Ever since the first image-bearers Adam and Eve walked the earth, the enemy—our enemy—has tried to convince humans of two things: 1) God doesn't want what's best for you, and 2) You can be your own god instead.

As soon as we decided to disobey our loving Father and try to do things our own way, God intervened and promised that one day—"He [Jesus] would bruise your [the serpent's] head and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15). When you look around, it may seem dark and hopeless. But God has always had a plan.

Jesus came to live a perfect life, died to pay for our sin and disobedience, was raised to life and conquered death as the receipt, and will come back again where every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11). We have victory in Christ because this is the promise when He returns:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said also, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21).

I’ll leave you with my favorite hymn, Turn Your Eyes. I’ve listened to it daily these past weeks, and with each breath I feel the weight of this world fall at the foot of the Cross. I’m reminded that my momentary troubles are nothing in light of the peace Jesus gives me. Our life is but a vapor, but it will have true meaning when we look to Jesus for everything.

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

Turn your eyes to the hillside

Where justice and mercy embraced

There the Son of God gave His life for us

And our measureless debt was erased

Turn your eyes to the heavens

Our King will return for His own

Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout

"All glory to Jesus alone"

Jesus, to You we lift our eyes

Jesus, our glory and our prize

We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true

Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You

FURTHER THOUGHT: Look through the four points and reflect on where you need to surrender more to the Lord. If you feel like you've missed the mark, I have great news for you--we all do and it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can have a desire to grow more in knowing God.

Repent for where you haven't put God first and ask Him to help you move forward in His grace. Share the list with someone in your life and vow to check in with each other so you can continue moving forward in your spiritual journey. Jesus is worth it--and so are you.

PRAYER: Lord, the events of this world feel heavy, and at times my heart can be as hard as stone. I ask that You meet me where I am. I know You can't meet me where I'm not - or where I'm pretending to be. Please help me turn my eyes to You and Your truth. Help my worldview be centered around Your Word that never changes or fades. Help me keep my eyes on You instead of all of the noise around me. When I have peace in my soul that only comes from You, that is when I can really make a difference in the world around me. Thank you for your grace and love. Amen.

ABOUT MORGAN BENNER

Morgan Benner is a woman transformed by faith, and if you had met her in the first 27 years of her life, you might not recognize her today. Jesus completely changed her, making her not just a different person but a new one. She now enjoys life with her best friend and husband, Derek, and their sweet three-year-old daughter, continually experiencing God’s love and growing in faith through her family. A creative at heart, Morgan uses her gifts to serve at her church—whether through video announcements, social media, small group leadership, or welcoming others into an encounter with Jesus. Professionally, she works as a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Fortune 500 company, a role that reflects her deep love for people. Known for meeting others right where they are, she is passionate about sharing the good news of the One who changed her life.

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