“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.” Isaiah 40:26a (NIV)
Take Time to Look Up
Perusing through the photos on my phone, I have realized that lately I’ve been looking up. A lot! Many of my recent pictures are of the sky in one form or another: bright blue, brilliant orange, soft pink, framing the moon, a backdrop for birds, and other scenes above that have captured my attention. Swiping through the images makes me wonder why I’ve been so drawn to the sky. Thinking about it I’ve realized that when I’ve taken the time to lift my eyes upward, everything else around me seems to simply fade away and for those few moments, I find peace as I’m immersed in the beauty above me.
It has occurred to me, that this attraction to the sky is really a reminder that taking time to look up should not just be a photo opportunity, but rather the way I live my daily life. I don’t know about you, but when challenged, facing a problem, or in the need of wisdom, my first reaction is usually to seek worldly solutions on my own. I mean, Google does seem to have an answer for almost everything! I also look to those around me for advice, read a book, post, or blog that seems to address the issue, and sometimes even try to reason it out in my own little mind. In reality, there’s nothing really wrong with any of these approaches, unless that is… we allow them to block our view heavenward! Living with our sights set down here on only what the world has to offer is like trying to take a picture of the sky from beneath an umbrella. Our vision is greatly limited! **
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)
Setting our “sights on the realities of heaven” changes our perspective. When we take the time to look up: to praise, give thanks, repent, worship, seek, and pray; the things of the world begin to grow dim. We find peace as we are captivated by the beauty of grace. And. We. Are. Changed! And when those storm clouds fill our sky? Well, God may send us to just the right friend, guide us to a perfect reading, or bring clarity to our own thoughts. Who knows? Maybe He’ll even use Google to help clear things up. The important thing is that now we’re looking at the world through God’s lens instead of our own and it helps us put our focus on what’s important.
So, the next time you step outside, take time to look up! Notice how the green leaves contrast against the brilliant blue. Wonder at the countless stars that light up the night. Pause as the sinking sun paints with pinks and purples. And then, look up further……..
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
**five minutes
Joining http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing community to write to the prompt “Take” today. It’s always fun to see all the different directions each writer takes with the same word! Click on over and see for yourself.
Your photos are beautiful, Cindy, and this is a great reminder to look up! It is far too easy to get caught up in trying to find our own solutions, turning to Google or to other people instead of to God. Looking up helps us get a true perspective!
Thank you for your kind words Lesley! This is a lesson I truly needed and you’re so right about gaining “true perspective” by looking up instead of focusing on our own strategies. I am grateful that you took your time to stop in. It means a lot to me.
Your post is so encouraging, a good reminder to pause and look up to God. I find myself praying more frequently.
Thank you Carol. I’m a slow learner but am trying to look up AND pray more.. I appreciate your stopping in!
Wow – I love your photos! I really want to learn how to take better photos! It really does help you “see” better – and become more aware of all that is beautiful around us!! Keep looking up!
Jennifer I’d like to take a photography class to learn more about it too! You’re so right sometimes we don’t appreciate where we’ve been until we see it in a photo or through another’s eyes. (I think there’s a blog post in there somewhere😉) Thank you for taking your time to stop by and comment. It means a lot to me.
Beautiful words! I love looking at the sky. It is so peaceful and comforting. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve been noticing the sky more and more! It’s never the same. God’s artistry at work! Thank you Beth for stopping in! I really appreciate it!
Yes! It’s easy to forget to look up. This is something I think about often. It’s really easy to keep looking down at our problems, and feel like we’re stuck in the trenches of life. It looks like an unending slog, until we look up and see the sun. Thank you for the reminder.
“Upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin.” Before the Throne of God Above
I agree Bethany! I tend to focus on myself too much when looking up is so much better! Thank you for taking the time to stop in. Have a great weekend!
I’ve been looking up for years. It’s certainly very rewarding and also because mostly my thoughts and conversations go up! ha ha I’ve always thought of it as the ‘big picture’. When problems come, I need to see the ‘big picture’ in order to respond properly, if at all! Especially as whatever problems I have, God has already worked them out. That faith thing is difficult for us mere humans but it works! 😀
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you’re the one who should be writing a blog! I admire your faith and outlook on life! Keep teaching me your wise lessons!!!