Imagine staring at your own naval while standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Crazy right??? But that illustrates us much of the time, looking inward instead of upward. None of us are immune to the tendency to become self-focused and joyless. God offers seeking Him and his Kingdom as a glorious alternative to living in the small sad kingdom of self. In Matthew 6:33 He says “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Psalm 16:11 says “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” And Romans 11:33 says “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

Imagine living in awe of God, immersed in His character and work, living by faith, with purpose, compelled by His love, and seeking His glory, rather than being self-absorbed and stuck. Many of us are pleasantly surprised to learn that the our deep hunger for meaning, purpose and identity, that sometimes causes us to turn inward toward self, is actually found in turning outward and upward, to God.

#LookUp