LOOK UP

look (intransitive verb): to direct one’s eyes or attention 

  up (adv): into a higher position 

“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ–that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:2

I stepped in some disgusting gum the other day. It frustrated me on so many levels. Not only because someone carelessly spit it out instead of throwing it away, or that I was going to have to clean my favorite shoes; but because I try so hard to avoid stuff like this.

In my efforts to avoid stepping in things that are unpleasant or dangerous, I tend to look down most of the time. “Shuffling along, eyes to the ground…”

I mostly see cracked, gray asphalt, mud puddles filled with dead leaves, discarded fast food bags, broken bottles, and the occasional doggie accident.

“…absorbed with the things right in front of me.”

What if I stopped focusing on the close-up, ordinary stuff? What might happen if I looked up once in a while?   

I tried it on my walk today. Every time I looked up, I took the deepest breath of the expansive, unlimited, awe-inspiring space.

I was surprised and delighted by–

-the first tiny buds of spring beginning to break open

-a noisy, curious, red-headed woodpecker eyeing me from halfway up the trunk of a fir tree

-the brilliant shades of purples, oranges, and pinks painted in the clouds.

I don’t want to walk with my head down the whole time, watching out for gum and trash and mud anymore.

And I really don’t want to live with my eyes on myself my whole life and neglect what is going on with Jesus.  I don’t want to forget to look up to him. Paul reminds us that when we get bogged down and focused on our own little worlds, there is so much above us that we are missing.

What if we make an effort to be “alert to what is going on around Christ”?  To “see things from his perspective”?  

How?

We can pray. We can simply have conversations with Jesus. Often. We can ask him to show us his heart for us and for others.

We can read. His word. Books and articles and posts that inspire and teach us. Meaningful, daily devotions that remind of us his truth and focus our hearts on him.

We can listen. Inspirational music that lifts our spirits. Podcasts by pastors and teachers that expand our understanding. Wise words from counselors and mentors that help us heal and challenge us to grow.

We can spend time with believers. Maybe that means going to church, being part of a Bible study group, serving people in need, or grabbing coffee with a praying friend.

Jesus has so much more to show us when we look up to him. He opens up to us a bigger, better, more beautiful space to live and move and grow in. And he will help us handle anything we accidentally step in along the way.

Invite Him in:

Look up to Jesus right now. Ask him to help you to direct your eyes to all the action–amazing, challenging, and good– that is happening around him. Above you. His higher position, his holy perspective on everything, will lift and free your heart and your soul.