Friday night we drove to the little town closest to us for a Christmas parade. Friends of ours went along. We didn’t know what to expect because as I said it was a little town.
We munched on hamburgers, funnel cakes and kettle corn as we waited for the parade to begin. It was fun to be in such a festive mob all anticipating the parade. What we didn’t expect was what happened next.
The drone parade.
Most of the town lights were dimmed and one by one small spots of light appeared in the heavens. More and more lights appeared drawn together by the intricate programming of those who had much more expertise in technology than any of us on the ground.
For the next bit of time the drones repositioned themselves to form a variety of Christmas images. But if you hadn’t been looking up, you would have missed the show!
It prompted a question in my heart, “how many times do I fail to look up and miss out on what God has planned?”.
So many people spend time looking down. Looking down on others because of their education or lack thereof; looking down on financial status, marital status, political party, skin color, cultural idiosyncrasies, too religious, not religious enough, occupation or even sports team affiliation.
Then there are those who spend their time looking in. Looking in-ward at their mistakes, their failures, their fears, their lack and so they spend half of their lives living in self-pity.
Isn’t it interesting that the angels proclaimed the message of Christ’s birth in the heavens? The shepherds had to look up.
“That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”
13 Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying, 14 “Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him” Luke 2:8-14 ERV
How much time in the last year have we spent looking down?
“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:7-10 AMP
Maybe things have you feeling overwhelmed – so much is going on in the world. Or maybe you’re looking inward because you’ve been hurt, broken hearted.
“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? 2 My help will come from the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth.3 He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep.” Psalm 121:1-3 ERV
Let me encourage you today to look up. Look up and find the One who fills the heavens and also fills our hearts!