I actually wrote this post by accident (I’ll explain another time) earlier this year but didn’t post because, you know, laziness. But I do think it is very relevant to our circumstances at the moment and since we all have some extra time for reading on our hands, why not?
On this side of eternity, there are things we will never understand, questions that will remain unanswered and that, for the most part, isn’t necessarily the good news we signed up for as Christians. As we settle into the new year and navigate our visions, hopes and dreams, I am reminded that for some, newness doesn’t always bring joy. I cast my mind to the story of Hannah, every new month, new year, new day, she was reminded by ‘her rival’ that she was barren. Some of us may be able to relate. There may be an area in our lives that is ‘lacking, lifeless’ and our ‘rivals’ are ready to taunt us. This may be in the area of work, finance, relationships, childbearing, business etc. With our physical eyes, it seems as though there is no life; our inner voice and/or external voices have set up their placards and megaphones telling us there is no hope.
But there must be a shift. As cliche as it sounds, we must shift our focus from ‘down here’ (what we physically see, this world, even our own selves) to ‘up there’ (heavenwards, the unseen, where faith comes into action). Why? Because when we lift up our eyes, we see things we would not have seen if our focus had remained on us or our present circumstances. In Philippians 3:14, Paul tells us that he ‘presses on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ This is a blueprint for keeping it moving. Yes there are distractions but we must press on. Yes the voices get loud sometimes but we must press on. Can it feel like we are crippled under fear and anxiety? Yes, but we must press on. We cannot allow our eyes of faith to become eyes of flesh. Have a single vision, the upward call. By definition of it being the ‘upward call of God,’ it is above the ideals of this world. It requires us to meet Christ where He is -so to speak.
So, back to where I started. Hannah. This year instead of crying, refusing to eat and leaving it there, she made a vow. Making this vow took faith and a shifting of her perspective from within to with-God. Hannah engaged with God in a new way. Even though Eli initially thought she was drunk, Hannah’s response was soft (don’t let life make you mean). After this response, Eli spoke kind words and whether he knew it or not, they were straight from the Lord. Hannah’s countenance changed and she was no longer sad. What am I saying? Change your focus, change your attitude and add to your faith because things look a lot different up there…
Amen 😊