lift up your eyes.

In one of his books, CS Lewis talks about how so often we are content with swimming in a mud puddle when God has a huge ocean ready for our enjoyment. We become fine with sin and icky, muddy waters when we can have clear, Jesus filled, beautiful blue water to enjoy.

I had an experience this weekend that really made me think of this verse. My mom lovingly took Siena (while teething!) on Friday night so that Chris and I could go to an event without her. The next morning we got to sleep in (8:30 - really sleeping in for us!), grabbed McDonalds for breakfast (which he NEVER gives in to!) and then headed over to North Bend to little Mt. Si for a morning hike.

We were about fifteen minutes into the hike when I told Chris to stop. I had realized something. Below my feet was wet, muddy, slippery, rock filled trails. When I was no longer concerned with tripping into the ick, I looked up and was struck by the glorious sight. We were in a beautiful forest. The green of the trees was so bright and the rain coming down made everything so fresh. I was so worried about taking the right step that for the first part of the hike I didn't even look at where we were headed. If I had continued that way for the entire hike I never would have taken in God's creation and the moment that he created for me to take it all in.

When I think about my life, it is a little like this trail. I get too focused on the mucky, dirty, bumpy trail. The hardships and the sin get overwhelming and that is all that I can concentrate on.

But when you lift up your eyes.
My, it's a pretty sight.

Jesus is glorious. Even more glorious than those trees. His scripture is life-giving like the oxygen that comes from the leaves. His presence is fresh and new each time you meet with him.

Why do we keep our eyes on the deep depravity of sin when we can lift our eyes and gaze upon the rich beauty of our Lord?

This is my goal.