by Jordyn van Gaalen
The Importance of Looking Up
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains– where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip– He who watches over Israel will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:1-3
How often in the chaos, in the fatigue, and in the stress, do I lack contentment and joy? I let the distractions cloud thankfulness.
I was nowhere near ready for working in a restaurant at a ski resort during the holiday season. It was my first time in the restaurant business and my first time as a server. I was not prepared for the long hours, running around like a chicken with my head cut off, the sassy remarks, or taking the brunt of others’ frustrations and impatience.
In these moments, I forget to look up. I stop looking around, and instead I bury my head and bulldoze through the days.
But what I actually need to do is lift my eyes. Lift my eyes first to Christ. I too often forget that I am not doing this on my own. I forget that my strength comes from a greater, endless source. Like a well that never runs dry, He will provide and sustain.
I forget to lift my eyes to the people around me. The people God has intentionally placed in my life. The people that cross my path. People that have their own story, their own set of struggles, their own purpose in God’s plan. I get wrapped up in what I’m going through, the weariness I feel, or my present struggles, that this selfishness blinds me.
It is during these times that my prayer is for a heart of gratitude. When I start thanking God, I can’t stop reflecting on all that I ought to be appreciative of. The thanks pours out until my heart of stone begins to crumble. On the mountaintops and in the valleys, God’s blessings and His mercy and His grace and His provisions never run dry. They abundantly pour and flow.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:15-16
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
I have begun practicing daily gratitude. After my devotional time, I list out 5 things I was thankful for the day before. That has really helped me keep my eyes on God and living the Good News. Thank you for this reminder on how important that practice is!
Thank you for sharing that! I would really like to adopt that practice!