Look Up!

A couple of weeks ago, a family took us to a remote valley and then to the highest mountain top in this area. This trip was neat because the leaves were changing colors. When we arrived at the valley, we walked for the first hour or so up a river. We truly saw the beauty of God's creation. Huge boulders and waterfalls were found all along the way. These things mixed with the colorful trees was awesome. After a while we hiked up the mountain side to a trail. We used this trail to make our way back towards the van.

It seemed like we walked for 20 or 30 minutes when the man who brought us stopped everyone and said, "Look." We turned to our right and there was an opening in the trees. We could see one mountain right in front of us and another mountain to our left. The sun was shining so brightly on the mountain that the colors in the leaves seemed to jump out at us. We stayed there for a minute or two and then went on our way.

As we continued down the trail, I began to think about what had just happened. We had been walking for 30 minutes with our heads down watching the trail. We hadn't noticed anything around us. It was only when someone said, "Look Up" that we saw the beauty that was there all along. How many beautiful things had we missed because we weren't "Looking Up?"

Today, I want to be the one who says to you, "Look Up."

Peter & John
In Acts 3:1-9, Peter and John were headed to the temple and the Bible says that they focused their eyes on a crippled man by the gate. This man was taken to the same gate every day by someone. I'm sure Peter had seen this man before, but today was different. The man wanted money, but Peter had something far greater for him. Peter said silver and gold I don't have, but I will give you what I do have. That day God used Peter to heal the man. Do we have the same attitude? Let me encourage you to use whatever God has given you to serve others. It may be an encouraging word, it may be money or it may be the Word of God. We pass so many people every day. Let us "Look Up" and see opportunities to serve them.

Stephen
In Acts 7, Stephen finishes preaching an awesome message to the council at Jerusalem that goes from Moses to Jesus. At the end of this message, the council was so convicted that they leaped on Stephen. The Bible says that the gnashed on him with their teeth. As this was happening, Stephen "Looked Up" and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of the Father in heaven. Let me encourage you that when life seems tough and when things look their worst, "Look Up." God is still on the throne, Jesus is still your Saviour and the Holy Spirit still lives within you. There is coming a day when we shall see Him face to face.

Jesus
Lastly, in John 4, Jesus goes through Samaria and meets a woman at the well of Jacob. This woman and Jesus have a conversation and Jesus tells her that he has "living water" to give her that will cause her to never thirst again. She asks Jesus to give her this water. The disciples had been to Samaria to buy food and they arrive back as Jesus finishes his conversation with this woman. She leaves to go back to town and bring back as many people as she can to meet Jesus. The disciples offer Jesus food and Jesus says that He has food to eat they they know nothing about. His food (nourishment, what gives Him strength) is to do the will of the Father. Jesus then tells the disciples to "Look Up." He says lift up your eyes and see that the fields are already white unto harvest. Many Samaritans came that day across that field to meet their Saviour. Let me encourage you to "Look Up" and see the lost souls in the fields around you. They need what you already have. Forgiveness of sins, salvation and an eternal home in heaven.

Don't let life pass us by as we walk with our heads down focusing on the trail; our own security and safety. Let's "Look Up" and see opportunities to serve, see that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us and see that there are lost souls in need of our Saviour.