Lift
Up Your Eyes
By
Susie Hale, PJM
The Grace of God came down to
earth in the form of a tiny, human baby. Jesus walked on this earth for thirty-three
years, the perfect example of how to live a holy life. Though tempted in all
ways as each of us is (Hebrews 4:15), He denied Himself completely and was
obedient to the Father, even to the point of sacrificing Himself as our perfect
Passover Lamb (Philippians 2:8). He mentored His followers who then wrote the
New Testament so that we would know how to be saved and to live godly lives
even while on this fallen earth. He paid the price of His life to redeem us
from the chains of sin. Then He sent His Holy Spirit to live in each person who
believes and trusts in Him. That Holy Spirit works in and through us to purify
us, to make us more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29, Ephesians 5:26-27). We,
the church, are His bride, and Jesus is preparing a home for us in His Father’s
house (John 14:2-3). Therefore, we should live in awe-filled expectation of the
day when Jesus will return in glory. We will be caught up in the clouds with
Him and be changed, perfected, to be His spotless, glorious bride (1 Thessalonians
4:16-17).
All that to ask the question: Are
you looking for that glorious hope? Are you looking expectantly for Christ to
return? Or are you looking down at all the cares of this world surrounding you?
There is a Norman Rockwell painting of St. Thomas Cathedral in New York City.
The people walking by are all looking down (literally and figuratively). They
look worried, stressed, or depressed. Meanwhile one of the church workers is
posting the week’s scripture above the door. It reads, “Lift Up Thine Eyes”. Sometimes, even believers behave like the
people in that painting. We get so wrapped up in our own daily struggles that
we fail to look up. Jesus IS coming back. Jesus WILL reign. Jesus IS preparing
our forever home. Many biblical signs of His return have already come to pass
or are in the process of being fulfilled. LIFT UP YOUR EYES! Luke 21:28 “And
when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.”
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