(original message sent via email 10/2/23)
On a recent family hike, at the top of the mountain there was a tower that you can climb up to to view the valley below. We climbed up the tower and as I looked out, I saw how the sun was shining over the valley below and how some clouds were scattered in the sky. I was thinking about how the people who have no clouds above are experiencing a sunny day, but those below the clouds are experiencing a cloudy moment in their day.
From this mountain top perspective, I could see that it was a sunny day and the clouds were only temporary.
When I paused to process this, it made me think about God's point of view of our lives. From His vantage point every day is sunny and He can see that any "clouds" we are experiencing are temporary and will pass, in time. And even in the evening, when we see the night sky, the sun is still shining, we just don't see it from where we are, but God does.
Reflecting on this made me see how I can sometimes be "under clouds" or "in the dark" and I may forget to look up and consider what God sees from His perspective. God is the one who sees the whole picture and how whatever it is I am experiencing is temporary - although temporary in our lives may not always feel temporary.
Colossians 3:2 reads, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." This verse reminds me that I can get focused on the clouds, or dark moments, and that it's best for me to seek God first to help me with whatever it is I am going through. I need to remember that there is good in every day, and whatever the clouds are that I may be experiencing, it's best to look at them with God beside me, rather than try to tackle them alone. I am sharing this with you today in case you too can get fixated on the clouds and forget to invite God in. I invite you to join me to…
pause. breathe. pray.™
Whether we are experiencing a good day or a bad day, may we pray to seek God above all else. May we give thanks to God for the good days, and the good in each day, and if we are having trouble seeing the good, may we pray that God helps us see it. And if we are experiencing a cloudy or dark day or season, may we remember that God is with us and sees the bigger picture. Instead of trusting in ourselves, which I admittedly do, may we place our trust in God and do what we can to help keep our eyes and ears on God, above all else, so our perspective broadens, as mine did that day on that mountain top.
For more encouragement, click HERE for this week's FREE printable: 7 ways to help keep your eyes on God, and click HERE to listen to this message on this week's Live from the Inside Out™ podcast.
With love and hope,
Shawn