Keep Looking UP

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  ~John 10:10

As I open the top of the prescription pill bottle, count the contents and try to decide - one or two? - a thought strikes me.  This is no life.  Most people take an OTC pill, what, once a week?  A couple times a month?  For a headache, backache, or muscle strain after over doing a work out.  Not me.  I take, on average, 3 prescription pain pills a day.  For a minute or two the thought "this is no life" consumes me.  Even with these pain meds, I barely function.  This is no life.

Then I hear a voice, I believe it is the voice of a much younger me reciting a verse for Awana, or Sunday School or Bible Camp.  It could also be the voice of one or many preachers I have heard.  The voice is reading the words written on my heart so long ago "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

There have been several times in my life that I have come to realization (usually to correct my own wrong thinking), that God did not put us here, Jesus did not redeem us with His own precious blood that we may just live.  God gave us life to live with joy.  When the monster steals my focus, I miss out on the joy of that moment or hour or day.  But when I look away from the monster and look up I see all the God has given me.  He is generous and kind.  I have much more than I deserve and, sadly, much more than I thank Him for on regular basis.  God has not just given us life (although that would be more than enough!).  He has given us an abundant life - joyous, victorious and free.

I remember a time of struggling in college.  I don't remember what the issue was, but I called home for the comfort and help that parents can give.  I remember my dad asking me if I ever watched runners.  Like Olympic runners.  Of course, everyone has seen competitive runners.  He said, "What happens if a runner looks down at his feet while he's running in a race?"  He would trip and fall.  Life is like that.  We are running a race, pressing on toward the high calling.  If we look down at our feet we are going to  trip, fall or at the very least get off course.  We've got to keep our eyes on the goal.  My goal is my Savior.  Someday the pain of this life will have passed and I will spend eternity in the light of the Son.  A taste of that joy can be found here if we keep our eyes focused on Him.  That's what I need to remember when I'm counting pain meds.  When I'm wondering if it's too soon to take another one.  When Sunday comes again and I am home alone and overwhelmingly discouraged.  When I can't pick up my son and comfort him.  When I have to count my pain meds I should count my blessings.  The Lord has given me a wonderful family.  A beautiful, happy, healthy son.  A healthy daughter on the way.  A husband that is patient and self sacrificing.  A church family that shows me Christs love and compassion.  Friends that stick with me even though I am a really hard person to be friends with.  The list goes on and on.  Those pain meds I worry about, ration and count are just for this life.  In heaven I won't need them.  In heaven I won't ever have to think about them.  What a blessing.

Since first writing the above a few days ago, the flood has threatened to overwhelm me.  I have felt as though I were drowning and alone.  The fiercer the storm, the greater the temptation to look down at my feet.  Life's problems always seem biggest when we are focusing on them.  Yet, if we focus on God the problems seem so much smaller.  I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it.  I'm am still tempted to try and wade through the torrent on my own - trying to find the solution on my own.  Oh the strength and energy I am wasting!  So, I am spending today redirecting my focus.  Letting God's Word wash over me.  Listening to music that will comfort me and help redirect my focus.

This is what's playing at my house today.  The verse in bold is especially encouraging to me, although I love the entire song.

In Christ Alone

by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

IN CHRIST ALONE my hope is found,He is my light, my strength, my song;This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!My Comforter, my All in All,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,Fullness of God in helpless babe!This gift of love and righteousness,Scorned by the ones He came to save:Till on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied –For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain:Then bursting forth in glorious DayUp from the grave He rose again!And as He stands in victorySin’s curse has lost its grip on me,For I am His and He is mine –

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,This is the power of Christ in me;From life’s first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.No power of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

CCLI Song # 3350395, © 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)