Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Look Up! – Mixed Emotions

October 5, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 4

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When my mom and I run, we tend to look at the ground. The sidewalk we take is uneven in several places, and we have tripped more times than I can count. So, to prevent more scrapes and bruises, we keep our eyes down on the path before us.

While this strategy is helpful, it often means that we miss the first rays of sunshine creeping over the trees or the view of the river covered in ice or the perfect flower beds along the way. When we do lift our heads—if only for a moment—we are sometimes rewarded by a dazzlingly unexpected sight.

We do the same thing with our worries. We often focus on the never-ending amount of work, take extra precautions to avoid disaster, and refuse to do anything adventurous. And, as a result, we miss the little blessings all around us.

Matthew 6:31-32

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”

We are afraid to look up, even for a second, because what if we trip? How will we get up? Will we be able to keep going?

We turn down incredible opportunities because they are too risky.

We push aside rest because we are too busy.

We ignore the people we love because love comes with too much heartache.

Instead, we only watch the road before us, missing the gifts God has planted along the way.

What would happen if we looked up, just once? Yes, we might trip, but what then? God will pick us up. What if we don’t fall? What if the path we’re so worried about tripping on turns out to be even and level? What might we see along the way?

Isaiah 26:7

But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.

God provides every time. Every single time. It may not go the way we hope, but he still makes a way. It is your choice: Will you keep your eyes fixed to the ground? Or will you find the courage to look up?

Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Questions:

Are you refusing to look up and enjoy what is around you? What are you afraid of? What might you be missing? How can you remember that God will provide?

Next Steps:

Look up. Choose to be in the moment, whether that means saying “yes” to an adventure, turning down more work, going out with your spouse, or having a dance party with your kids. Find something to delight you—even something as small as the sun on your face or a conversation with a friend.

Prayer:

Father, you provide each and every time. I tell myself over and over that things won’t work out, but you always come through. I want to stop worrying, and the only way to do that is to look up. Guide my eyes to where you are, and fix them there. I don’t want to ever look away! Amen.