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Writer's pictureMarnie Hammar

Lift Your Gaze


As the number that is my age climbs higher, the number of times that I can go around in circles sinks lower. So when we went on a fall outing to our local amusement park, and my kids wanted to ride a torturous twist on the classic 'swings'—where the swings climb too high and go in circles for too long—I happily took my seat below. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ After a few minutes, I sensed something. I looked up to see my two boys waving enthusiastically and kicking their legs with excitement so I would not miss them in the sea of swings. They had been waiting for me to find them. I waved, my arms stretched big and wide, grinning so hard it hurt. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ When I looked up, I was so blessed by what I saw. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It amazes me, the power of the connection between the eyes and the heart. What I set my sights on not only fills my heart, it fuels my beliefs, my convictions, and my attitudes. ⁠David understood this power. In Psalm 27, as he is surrounded by enemies, David doesn’t focus on the men pursuing him. Instead, he looks higher. He says to God: “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8, ESV). ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ David chose to look up. And in doing so, he gained so much more than a change of scenery. He gained courage. He gained strength. He even gained God’s perspective. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I don’t know how I’d react if I was being pursued for harm, but I’m not entirely confident I’d follow David’s lead. So I find his choice both inspiring and comforting. If David can choose to look up when his very life is in danger, then surely I can pull my gaze away from what’s around me? Like that day at the amusement park, what’s above me can fill me far beyond what’s in front of me. ⁠


Read the rest at The Joyful Life Magazine.

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