Look Up
Recently I embarked on a family vacation to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was one of the rare family reunions that brought both sides of my family together in one crazy, activity-packed week. One of the adventures we planned included a trek over the river and through the woods (no…I’m not going to break into song claiming we’re going to grandmother’s house!) We had heard that this hidden trail led to a secret swimming hole mostly unknown even to the locals. It required physical stamina, spider-like agility, and a wild, adventurous spirit. Count us in!
The trailhead led into a somewhat well-beaten path. As we progressed further into the woods, however, the path became less obvious and stalks of poison ivy grew thicker by each step, threatening to mince the rest of our trip with blisters of unquenchable itch. We forged on.
After a couple river crossings, we came to a point where the trail disappeared completely, vanishing into oblivion. We forged on.
This new, unmarked route led us through dense brush that most certainly held creatures of an undesirable kind… like the slimy, slithery kind! We forged on.
As we traversed further and further into the hills, the landscape became more treacherous. Monstrous boulders rose up ahead, requiring strategy and teamwork to navigate. With persistence and perseverance, however, we finally arrived at the destination. And what a destination it was!
We quickly realized the reward of our effort! The majestic granite cliffs rose up on one side of the valley while the pine-covered hills made a steep ascent on the other. And in between, where the river flowed, spilled a gentle waterfall that created a chasm of pristine mountain water of which we never found the bottom!
So here’s the thing. This destination was incredible! It was everything we imagined it could be! We spent hours jumping off the boulders into the ice cold water – yelps of glee mixed with shock and fear emanated from the lips of children and adults alike. The end point was magnificent and totally worth the uncertainties we faced on the trek up.
But on our way down, we noticed that the granite cliffs had been there all along. The blue skies painted a background against the rolling hills, the occasional eagle cutting through the skies.
Had this breathtaking beauty been there the whole time? On our way up, we had been so focused on the destination that we failed to see the splendor along the way. We were so distracted by the potential of tripping over the trees in our path, or brushing up against poison ivy, or stepping on the dreaded snake that we missed the view we could have enjoyed at every turn.
In our Christian walk, we are promised a glorious destination. A place we’ll forever enjoy the fruits of our earthly labor. Often though, our focus gets stuck on avoiding the snares along the way. We fail to recognize the majesty with which He’s surrounded us all along the journey. If only we would pause every once and awhile along the path… and look up.
Seeing His glory will help us climb the next boulder.
Fixing our mind on Christ will help us endure the stumbles along the way.
Being still for a moment gives us opportunity to realize that He has sprinkled the journey with beauty to energize every step to this great and glorious destination at the end of the path.
We were fortunate to get to experience the beauty on the way home from our adventure. But there is no route “home” from the great and glorious destination of life. That is home. So take the chance today to stop… and look up.
Look past the mess your kids are making, and enjoy instead the memory they are making.
Consider looking at their disobedient moments as teachable moments.
Instead of losing your patience with their constant need of you, consider how you’ll long for them to need you in another couple years.
The urgency is now. Take a look at this week’s schedule and intentionally schedule a “look up” moment. I promise you will see how you’re surrounded by beauty amidst the obstacles, if only you’ll choose to stop and look up.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish!
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies echo His praise.
In the fire with you,
Toni