IF
YOU MUST GO UP, YOU MUST LOOK UP
Psalms 121:1-3; Heb
12:1-2; John11:41; Mark 6:41
Every upward journey demands an
upward focus. God specializes in giving us vision in the direction of our
destination in life according to His plans for us and He expects that we look
in the direction of this destination irrespective of the challenges we face on
the journey. Little wonder, Jesus said that
if our eye be single, our whole body will be full of light. Heaven places
much value on those who value them enough to look up to them in points of needs
instead of looking in other directions.
Challenges on the journey are
normal occurrences for anyone who will finish strong and receive the trophy at
the end of the journey. The greater the challenges, the greater
the value of the trophy to be won after the contest. Likewise,
challenges are not to mar or break us, they are designed on our path to make us
fit for the next level of the journey and assignment. However, where we look up
to in times of challenges determines if truly we would be made or marred after
such challenge. The Psalmist said ‘I will lift up my eyes to the hill. From
whence my help comes?’ where you look up to in times of challenges
reveals who you trust in.
At a point in the ministry of
Jesus on the earth, He was faced with the great challenge of feeding 5000 men
in a location where food cannot be bought and where there was no food available
to be served. He got just 5 loaves and 2 fishes for the great multitude yet He
was not moved. When He took the loaves and the fishes, he shifted His gaze away
from the little resources and also from the great resources and fixed it upon
Him who dwells in heaven with whom all things are possible. When He looked up
to God in heaven, God looked down to him in mercy and miracle was birthed.
Many of us have lost our various
miracles because we shift our focus away from the one who can help. Our help
comes not from abroad but from above. We should have faith strong enough in God
to always look up to Him all circumstances. Likewise, Jesus faced with the tomb
of Lazarus also shifted His gaze away from the deadness of Lazarus neither was
He focused on the crowd of professional mourners. He looked up again and
another miracle was birthed. Friends, if you must enjoy miracles on the upward
journey of life, never be tempted to take your gaze away from God who above
you.
When you look down, you would
feel relaxed because you will have a sense of accomplishment that you are still
better than others. When you look around you, you would the distractions and
side attractions of no worth just like Peter on the stormy seas. When you take
off your eye away from Jesus to the world around you, you would start to sink
but when you look up to Him with whom is your help, you will win and share your
testimonies.
Prayers: In spite of all the
challenges around, fears within me, Father help me to keep fixing my gaze on
You and Your Christ.
