My husband and I have been blessed with health and mobility, allowing us to hike in numerous locations across the US and Europe. Few experiences top the exhilaration of scanning the horizon from a mountaintop view. Unfortunately, the incline, angle, shale, and craggy rocks on a path sometimes steal from the scene while we constantly look for safe landings for our feet. The Ute Trail, high in the Rocky Mountains, is riddled with rocks

protruding from the uneven ground, making every step hazardous. Great caution was required as we hiked the steep decline to the Azores  Lagoa do Fogo,  Lake of Fire. Each footfall on the giant steps required mIndful navigation. We wanted to soak in each experience to its fullest. Therefore, we had to make a conscious effort to stop, look out, and look up. Without such steps, we would have missed the wonder of these and many more breathtaking panoramas.

Sadly, I have become so accustomed to looking down that even on daily walks, I catch myself examining the path instead of looking up. Day by day, I must consciously look out and up to enjoy the blue of the sky, the shapes and colors of the trees and woods, and the reflective mirror of ponds and lakes. This morning as I was walking, I pondered this.  How much of our lives do we spend looking down instead of looking out and up? My daily look down keeps my focus on hazards along the path. My focus is on me; my anxiety, hurts and pains of the past, errors in judgment, mistakes, and shortcomings. While I slowly navigate the ruts of life, I never see the beauty of the view. My focus is on what was and the difficulties of the moment. 

When I look outward, I respond to the beauty of the day. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face. I greet those that I meet along the way. I notice the world around me because my perspective changes from me to others.

Phil 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” NKJV

When I look up, I behold the expanse of blue. I am awestruck at the revolving shapes and movements of the clouds, the daily journey of the sun and moon, the wonders of our universe. My perspective again changes as I experience a shift in both thoughts, and focus. When I look up, I have positioned myself to stand in awe of my Lord and God, the Creator of the Universe.

Psalm 5:3 “ My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.”

Luke 21:28 (NKJV) “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Dear friends, I encourage you to break the habit of looking down. Instead, be purposeful and look up to your Heavenly Father who will keep you from stumbling. (Jude 24)  Remove your focus of worry and anxiety. 1Pe 5:7 “Casting all of your anxiety upon him for he cares for you.”

(ESV) Psalm 80:14 “Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see: have regard for this vine…”

Dear Father, Thank you for the wonder of each day and the expanse of the horizon before me. Help me to take my focus off self and instead look up to the needs of others. I know that when I reach out to help or support others, you bring healing to my own heart. Help me have the courage to look up and climb to the mountain top, where I stand in wonder and awe of your goodness. Thank you that you have redeemed me. Your love and care give me hope for a future and the strength to look out and up.  I can declare with boldness that I am loved. Rom 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.”

In Jesus name,  Amen.