“Moses . . kept his eyes on Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27 NLT
“The upward glance of the eyes seems to drag the heart with it.”
My thoughts today are about “an upward glance.”
In her blog, “Confessions of a Tired Supergirl,” Susanna Aughtmon tells this story, “We have started practicing songs in Sunday School. Last night my two year old nephew, Drew, showed his mom what he had learned. He knew quite a few of the motions to ‘Away in a Manger.’ My favorite was the sign for ‘the stars in the sky.’ Instead of making starburst signs in the air with his hands for the stars, he poked both pointer fingers in the air to the heavens, performing a holy sort of disco. It made you look up. I think Drew has it right. Take your finger and point it to the sky. That upward glance of the eyes seems to drag the heart with it.” Slowly think about that last statement. What is pulling your heart, and to where is your heart being drawn? If you don’t watch where you are going you might end up where you never intended.
I think that’s where so many of us get life wrong. Life can easily become misdirected by distractions. Bad things replace the good, and good things displace the better. You can unknowingly settle for the lesser when distracted from the greater. Too frequently your heart wanders where it wants, and you find your thoughts, feelings, and footsteps following. Susanna is right; try it. The upward glance of the eyes seems to drag the heart with it. The Bibles teaches: “We all with unveiled face beholding . . the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV.
Jesus taught the same principle; “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NKJV. Jesus’ solution for a proper focus is that you “lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.” Matthew 6:20 NKJV. Choose what is meaningful, profitable, and eternally valuable to you; then live in a manner that draws your heart toward God. Doing so involves your values, priorities, entertainment, friendships, and daily practices.
The privilege and power of Egypt could have been difficult for Moses to relinquish, until he looked beyond “the treasures of Egypt . . Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27 NLT. He was drawn toward the One he chose to follow with all his heart. The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV.
Paul gave sound advice: “Since you have been raised to new life in Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits as God’s right hand in the place of honor. Let Heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only of earthly things down here on earth . . your real life is hidden in Christ with God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NLT. Set your sights on the realities of Heaven; let Heaven fill your thoughts! Your heart will be drawn in that direction. It’s December, the wondrous Christmas season, and a good time for an upward glance that draws your heart toward the Savior and the joyous celebration.
My prayer for you today is that you set your affections on heavenly things.