Today's devotional is written by Jan Andersen and is entitled, "LOOK UP!" Sometimes it is hard to keep our focus on God. We are sorrowful when we look behind, worried when we look around, but faithful when we look up!
May you have a glorious and blessed Easter,
Jan and Corinne.
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Today's Devotional:
"LOOK UP!"
by
Jan Andersen
As a physical therapist I am often telling my clients to "look up" when they walk instead of keeping their eyes focused on their feet or right in front of them, or distracted by something. This helps them be more aware of their surroundings and the path ahead of them. That way they are more prepared for obstacles or interferences and possible distractions. If a distraction occurs behind them or off to the side that makes them take their attention off their course, they could easily falter. Keeping their focus ahead of them helps if they come upon something in their way, so that they can plan their detour around it better. Occasionally they do need to focus directly down in front of them in order to step over or up onto something, such as stepping up a curb. But once they have navigated that obstacle, they need to look ahead again to continue on their safe pathway.
The same holds true for our lives. If we are sorrowful, we are constantly looking back, grieving something that is in the past, wishing things had been different. Maybe we wish that we hadn't said or done certain things, longing for a different outcome. Or if we are in a constant sate of worry, then we are stuck at looking at our current state, apprehensive of what the future holds. The uncertainties cause uneasiness and we become vexed. But if we look up in faith, we see a Father who loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die in our place to forgive us of all our mistakes and short comings. We feel the love of the risen Christ in all he has done for us. We hear the Holy Spirit calling us to faith, moving in our hearts, sanctifying our lives. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, "Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up."
So we set our minds on heavenly things, not on earthly distractions and obstacles. And when the earthly things take over our attention, we pray for clarity and strength, for our faith to carry us through until our focus is back where it belongs - on the risen Christ who forgives our sins and restores us. We LOOK UP!
Colossians 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,then you also will appear with him in glory.
Dear Father in heaven, when things are looking down, help me to look up! Remind me to rely on you in all things at all times. Thank you for the gift of your Son, whose death and resurrection we celebrate this weekend. Help me to share the good news of salvation through Christ with others. Fill me with Your heart of compassionate forgiveness toward others, even when they directly offend me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Stars Go Dim
sing
"YOU ARE LOVED"
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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