look up

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2

Right now, there is so much fear and uncertainty for us all. This is especially true for those who keep a constant ear to the news every waking moment. We are being told, in no uncertain terms, to panic. Grocery store shelves are empty, businesses are closed. When we look around us at the world in turmoil, it is impossible to feel at peace. 

But we have the option to shift our focus. Instead of looking all around, we can look up. As believers, we have been raised with Christ, made new by the boundless grace of Jesus and freed from the shackles of the world. What a joy! When we look up, our spiritual eyes move past the clouds and sun, beyond the farthest star…we can fix our eyes on the Lord, who is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1). 

It’s so very easy to fall into a pit of discouragement and despair when the news all around us seems to get bleaker each day. But we have hope of the eternal amid these temporal “light and momentary troubles” (2 Cor 4:17). So, let’s choose to look up and live this way. 

We have an opportunity to be a light to those who have no hope—to demonstrate our faith in a real way. Let’s fix our mind on Him and bask in the resulting peace (Isaiah 26:3). And in our knowledge of the Prince of Peace, let’s smile. Look people in the eyes. Be calm. Help others.

As others frantically look around, let’s keep looking up. People will notice the difference in us, in our attitude and actions. And they will ask the reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15)—are we prepared to give an answer?