Eyes Above the Waves

My posture corrects as its familiar tune begins. With back elongated and chin outstretched, I sing along and submit to worship. My hands raise instinctively as my soul stirs with praise.

Yes, Savior, I do find You in the mystery. I do find rest in Your embrace…

There’s a reason this Worship Song is taking sound waves by storm. It’s message portrays a feeble heart clinging with faith. Daring to be stretched for His glory; attributing where strength and peace truly come from: Our Savior. Always. And I enjoy the reminder that though my feet may fail, He is there.

Then the dreaded plea comes. The one line in the bridge I always want to change.

*And keep my eyes above the waves.*

Friends, since when is having our eyes above the waves enough? We need to breathe, right? Shouldn’t it be “and keep my head above the waves”? I’ll settle for ‘face’ or maybe even ‘nose’. For when trouble comes and I feel like I’m drowning, wouldn’t it be nice to know I really can’t?

This one line has nearly ruined the song for me…me and my controlling nature.

One day recently, this very song got stuck in my head. The very day I read Hebrews 12 in my devotions. Which talks about being surrounded with lives of faith, and the threat of sin weighing us down, tripping us up. It offers a solution for success:

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
” Hebrews 12:2a

And I got to thinking…maybe having our eyes fixed on our Savior is enough. Maybe focusing on The One who not only can control my own breath, but the waves that threaten to take it, is a better plan than me trying to do it all.

I read Hebrews 12 again, which forces me to ask:

  • Can I keep my eyes fixed on my Savior?
  • Could I trust Him with my necessities and focus more on Him than the waves approaching?
  • Is my faith strong enough to survive the waves? Even if I don’t know when my next breath will come?

Tuning back in, my heart answers “yes” as I sing in declaration.

*Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will by my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You’ve never failed and You won’t start now.
*

And that’s just it. He’s never failed even when I falter. My God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and friends, He’s seen many waves. I can trust His sovereign hand. I will rely on My Champion. The one who initiates and can perfect my faith.

Today, my one goal is keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus. Will you join me? Friends, I invite you to worship with me today. You may CLICK HERE to listen to the song below.

How about you? How do you trust Him through the waves of life? I’d love to hear.

* The words between asterisks are directly from the song “Oceans” by Hillsong United. You may listen to, purchase, or read more about the song HERE.
12 Responses to Eyes Above the Waves
  1. Susie Klein
    September 7, 2014 | 4:30 pm

    Ah Nikki! I was so arguing with you at the beginning! Ha! Then you came around to the beautiful point that fixing our eyes on Jesus IS enough. I might add that our eyes will soon be followed by the rest of our body. Haha! I blogged about this song a while ago and it is hitting so many of us this year. Great post Nikki!
    Susie K

    • Nikki
      September 8, 2014 | 10:14 pm

      That’s how it is with me often, Susie…taking me awhile to come around 🙂 Thank you for reading my heart murmurings, faithful one! {HUGS}

  2. Missy
    September 8, 2014 | 8:00 am

    My own heart was convicted, Nikki, when I got to this particular line, “This one line has nearly ruined the song for me…me and my controlling nature.”

    How many times?! How many times have we sat in a worship service at a new church and uttered things just like this about the choice of worship song, the tilt of the message, the lack of hospitality… When, in spiritual reality, what we, I, should be clinging to is Jesus in every bit of it.

    Thank you, sweet friend. I needed a moment to refocus, and this post provided just that.

    • Nikki
      September 8, 2014 | 10:16 pm

      I love how God manages to speak to both of us in what we say, friend. You just made it clear to me!
      Crazy…our church is in the process of interviewing and trying new worship leaders and I struggled yesterday…ugh…I’m still learning. thank you for the reminder, friend! {HUGS}

  3. Barbie
    September 8, 2014 | 10:23 am

    This song ruins me every time I hear it. In this hard seasons, I am learning to fix my eyes on Him, to look above the waves. Yes, it is enough!

    • Nikki
      September 8, 2014 | 10:17 pm

      Love your honesty, friend. And your resolution that HE IS…He just is enough. {HUGS} to you through this hard season! I can’t wait to hear your battle cry on the other side!

  4. Vicki
    September 8, 2014 | 11:34 am

    Oh Nikki, how I love your heart and how you bring the truth. This song has been the cry of my heart for many months now and it speaks directly to my soul every time I hear it.

    I’m learning to keep my eyes on Him, it’s not easy, but He is faithful every single time so remembering that helps me to turn my eyes back to His beautiful face when I look at the waves coming.

    • Nikki
      September 8, 2014 | 10:20 pm

      He is faithful every single time, isn’t He, Vicki. Crazy how it doesn’t become easier…isn’t it? To keep our eyes fixed I mean.
      Ah but grace…as you mention. turning our eyes back. Thank You, Jesus, for being the God of second chances!
      {HUGS} Thank you for reading my heart with the same grace, friend.

  5. ~Karrilee~
    September 8, 2014 | 1:59 pm

    Oh sweet friend… you know this song has been my anthem for MONTHS and months now! I love you so! There is something about the cry for the Spirit to lead us where our faith is without borders that both excites and terrifies me – in all the best ways!

    • Nikki
      September 8, 2014 | 10:22 pm

      Friend, I think of you every time I hear the intro to the song! I believe you were first to introduce it to me…and you’re right. the thrill of the unknown gets me every time…in all the best of ways for sure! {HUGS}

  6. s.rae
    September 24, 2014 | 10:41 pm

    ” Maybe focusing on The One who not only can control my own breath, but the waves that threaten to take it, is a better plan than me trying to do it all.”

    yes! relinquishing that control…will it ever get easier?

    ~s

  7. bluecottonmemory
    October 12, 2015 | 5:03 pm

    I’m right there – with you, fixing my eyes on the horizon that is him! I can breath in the middle of a big panic when I do that! The amazing thing is that even while we’re keeping our eyes fixed on him, he’s standing there right beside us! Praying God’s Shalom on your week, Nikki!
    ~Maryleigh