LOOK UP!

Look Up!

I remember many years ago when I was still a teenager, of a piece of advice and knowledge given to me by a lady.

I was told, "Always look up!"

"When we look up to God in faith, all things work out for our good."

Someone once wrote the following: "Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up"

Although the words are very similar, the view they express is different. The lady that gave me the piece of advice understood that 'looking up' meant seeking the high road in moral standards and having a respect for yourself. The second writer, however, was describing the hope all humans have in a Creator.

Can you 'see' the difference?

God expects us to remain humble in His presence, but if we think we have no worth at all, we are not aware of the value He places on the humans He has created. God stated in verse 31 of the first chapter of Genesis, that His creation of humans was “very good”.

You are part of God's creation and He is pleased with how He made you. If at times you feel worthless or of little value, remember that God made you for a good reason. You are valuable to Him.

We do have lofty goals to reach when we seek to please Him, and that search can only be successful if we hold fast to a high moral code of conduct. When we look up to God in faith, all things work for our good. Romans 8:28 says the following: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

God works in "all things" - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen and corrupt world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. It is very important not to forget that God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill His purpose. Those who are called, have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. Their trust is in God and not life treasures; they look for their security in heaven not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect us until one day we stand in His presence.