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The story of the life of Lilias Trotter, missionary to Algeria, has long inspired me. As it turns out, (unsurprisingly) I am not the only one. Hymn writer Helen Lemmel was inspired by the words of Lilias Trotter that she read in a pamphlet and turned them into one of the most beloved hymns in the Christian church.
Helen Lemmel was a gifted musician in the mid to late 1800s. Her talent took her to Germany where she studied music and gained much success traveling as a vocal soloist and composing many songs. She married a wealthy man, and as far as things of this world go, she had it all.
And yet, at the peak of success, Helen began to lose her vision when struck with a degenerative disease, and her health left her. As a result, her husband sadly left her as well, leaving Helen sick, alone, and poor. In this season, she was handed a pamphlet written by Lilias Trotter which included the words, "Turn full your soul's vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him."
Upon reading these words, Helen was deeply moved and felt what she described as divine inspiration to write the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
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.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O'er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu'rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
I am encouraged by a woman who would impart to us the idea that when you fix your gaze upon Jesus, "the things of this world will grow strangely dim," especially since she enjoyed many of the things this world has to offer and lost them, yet still found Jesus to be far more fulfilling. Furthermore, Helen was going blind. There is a much deeper sense in which we "turn our eyes upon Jesus" than with our physical sight. The focus of our soul is where "life abundant and free" is found.
Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
When you look upon Jesus, you see His humility and faithfulness and are built up to not grow weary, even when "no light in the darkness you see."
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