look up
My One Word this year is look. And I’ve gotta be honest, I haven’t done a very good job of looking lately…
I stumbled back upon these amazing words, emailed to me by a friend months ago. It was written in 1865 and still speaks so clearly to my heart in 2011.
: : :
“Look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near!”
-Luke 21:28
In whatever state, in whatever place, into whatever condition we may be brought this year—let us seek grace to follow our Lord’s loving advice, and ”look up!”
Look up—for this will keep…
the head from swimming,
the heart from sinking,
the knees from trembling,
the feet from slipping, and
the hands from hanging down!
Look up…
for all that you need;
from all that you fear;
through all that would obstruct your way.
Do not look at your sin—it will discourage you!
Do not look at your self—it will distress you!
Do not look at Satan-–he will bewilder you!
Do not look to men—they will deceive or disappoint you!
Do not look at your trials—they will deject you!
Look only, look always, look intently—to Jesus!
Run looking, work looking, fight looking, suffer looking, live looking, and die looking—to Jesus, who is at God’s right hand in glory.
Oh, look, look, look to Jesus!
[From James Smith's "A New Year's Motto", 1865]
@moweezle says:
I feel like I haven’t been doing a very good job of living up to my word either :( Ishka!
Thanks for this reminder today Alece. I needed to hear this message first thing this morning. I am so often getting my eyes off the Lord and becoming so discouraged, bewildered and overwhelmed. Keep your eyes on Him & with this reminder, I’ll try to do the same thing! Bless you girl! xo
@Nomadstacey says:
So so glad those words written so long ago are giving your heart something to cling on to. It seems so easy- look up and He is always there. But we get so caught up in our stuff that sometimes the emery it takes to look is just too much.
Praying for your heart to remember to look, seek, and turn to Him in the hard and easy.
@kedamak says:
Thanks for sharing! These are beautiful words and a great reminder.
@bahava says:
yeahhh i definitely need to do more looking up in my life! maybe even ask Him to yank my head up for me when i can’t seem to do it myself. =)
Love this … going to copy it and put it in my journal and read it … lots. And going to join you in “looking up.” Love you sweet friend. Just that. :)
@JCWert says:
Those are certainly some great words.
I’m not sure I’m doing a stellar job with my word. I better hustle or the year will be gone before I know it…
@youthguy07 says:
Powerful stuff, Alece. Where we focus our vision says so much about where our hearts will be. I find it helpful to think about being “Cross-eyed;” seeking to always look to Jesus. I do not accomplish this, but it is my goal. Thanks for the reminder to keep looking up.
This is so encouraging
with all of the ups and downs and battles of life lately, I feel as though you understand my heart more than anyone could.
When I all I feel is darkness, I have remember that He is the light at the end of my tunnel
@julespreever says:
Love.
@bri_michelle says:
exactly what I needed to hear.
thanks…i’m looking.
@CindeeSnider Re says:
AMEN!! :)
@nicoleunice says:
That is AWESOME.
@transparencymag says:
Really needed that tonight. gracias