Look Up

   As I am aging, I have recognized that my body is beginning to gravitate downward. My posture just isn’t what it once was. My shoulders are beginning to slump. I find myself often times walking with my head in a downward descent. As I recognize my physical condition, I can’t help but compare it to my spiritual condition.

   When we first answer the call of salvation on our lives we are babes in Christ. We have that child like faith and excitement to see what this Christian life will bring. Looking at the seemingly new world that is around us with a different spirit within us.

   As we have walked this spiritual path over time, we may begin to grow weary. Losing that childlike zeal we once had. Looking down along the way, slumping our shoulders with a feeling of heaviness. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 

   This shows us that Jesus knows our spiritual walk we have embarked on will cause us to grow weary at times. Occasionally dragging us down. Our posture is not what it once was as we walked in that newness of our salvation. What Jesus is promising here is, though we may tire along our journey, as He knows we will, He is our source of rest. A rest we may need from time to time in order to regain our strength as well as that childlike enthusiasm we once had. Allowing us to stand again in a more upright position. With our heads looking up.

   In Psalm 51 even David cried out to God. Asking Him for help to stand tall once again, restoring his joy.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”   (Psalm 51:12)

   This is what brings me to our text in Revelation.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.  (Revelation 4:1-2)

   The apostle John is the writer of the Book of Revelation. John is writing to us from his exile on the Isle of Patmos. I’m sure at this point in John’s life he too had grown weary. Both physically as well as spiritually.  In verse 1 John tells us that he looked. Based on John’s description of seeing heaven, I like to think that he looked upward. Had John kept his weary head down, as we all do at times, just think of what he would have missed out on. The Holy Spirit gave John a vision of heaven. Seeing the King setting on His throne. John was given this beautiful illustration for all mankind to read about forevermore. That we may have a picture in our own minds of what he was allowed to see that day.

   I shudder to think of all we may miss out on from time to time. Simply  because we can’t seem to lift our heads up towards heaven. Setting our eyes on what God may have for us. Alternatively, we may continue moving on about our own mundane routines. With our heads downturned, blinders on our eyes.  Barring the blessings God may have for us, possibly even for others. 

   We see another example of someone who “looked up” to see what God had for him In Genesis Chapter 15.  Abraham was told in a vision from God to “look up” towards heaven. Showing Abraham the number of stars that he was looking up at were representative of the number of descendants he would thereafter attain.

   I believe Abraham also may have been weary at this time of his life. Possibly slumping, walking with his head down. Weary from the long winding roads he had traveled. Maybe feeling he had been on this journey for so long. Believing  this must be his journey’s end. Possibly ready to give up as he and his wife Sarah were still with no child in their old age. Had he missed the word of The Lord calling him to “look up”, he may have missed out on the greatest blessings of his life. Not to mention the lives of so many others which are still impacted by his act of faith today.

   As we too travel down our Spiritual pathway, it is going to get wearisome at times.  However this isn’t a time to keep our heads down. As you begin to feel your shoulders slumping, realizing your head is often times looking downward, don’t allow yourself to stay down. Look up! As the psalmist tells us.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  (Psalms 121:1-2)

Selah