Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Keep Climbing!

A Better Perspective

We were given the bright idea to visit a particular church on the island of San Andres. After a while of traveling, our team reached the location and looked up. Firmly planted on a hill with a prominent steeple perched on its roof stood an aged building bathed in white paint.  When our host told us that we could climb into the steeple I felt a rush of fear and excitement. But, my expectations were soon to be overawed by my reality.

The steps from the ground to the front door were easy. The walk through the church and up to the balcony was just as simple.  Through a generous sized door and up a mildly daunting staircase we ascended to the top. Halfway there, an open window shocked us. The view was enough to evoke enough of a pause that we questioned continuing.

John 1:3 (NLT)
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.

Commonly we look at life without questioning its origin. What if we increased the frequency at which we stepped back and allowed ourselves to be amazed at all that God has created. Recognizing the creator helps you appreciate the creation.

If the view at this point was great – how much greater could the view be from the top? Some people are satisfied with their current view without realizing that they have only halfway arrived. If this is good – what would happen if you went higher? If God is good right now – imagine the future possibilities.

We kept climbing, the staircase got steeper, and the passageway more constricted.

Then, we arrived.

Standing in the steeple of First Baptist Church in San Andres, Colombia, the expanse of the island was clearly visible. The lush green trees, the aqua blue waters, and the even smaller islands in the distance painted a breath-taking picture. Having never been to the top of the empire state building or the crown in Lady Liberty, I was amazed at how far I could see.

If you are unimpressed with your view – Go HIGHER!

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Luke 19:3-4(NLT)
He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

Change your perspective! The view is so much better from the top. Jesus is in your area. Get above the crowd, above the gossip, above your feelings, and above any distraction.
I read a story about a man who attached multiple weather balloons to a chair and then had to be brought down from several thousand feet in the air. When he was asked about the experience, he said, “You can’t just sit there.”

Strive for greater heights in your worship, your marriage, your career, and your personal goals.

When God gives you great dreams, he is telling you that He trusts you to get GREAT results.  

Whatever the great dream, vision, plan, or opportunity God gave you is – don’t bury it! Evict fear and mediocrity then Employ faith and motion.

When you look back you will know that it was GOD that brought you this far!

How long will you watch others live your dreams?


KEEP CLIMBING!

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