Lift Your Eyes

Chocolate.  It’s a weakness.  Or a strength.  Some people end their day with a night cap, I end mine with chocolate.  On good days but especially on the challenging ones. On the way home one night this week, I found myself out of chocolate at home.  It was cold but since I was already out, it was worth quickly ducking in somewhere. 

I would say it was a divine appointment, but since I gave up on coincidences long ago and every opportunity can also be a chance to encourage people... A woman working the night shift came out to ring me up. She isn’t normally expressive.  To be honest?  "Very quiet" are the best words used to describe her.  She greeted me with the obligatory American: “how are you?” 

Trying to make eye contact and being honest- “I’m about to be fantastic, but how about you?” She lifted her eyes briefly to mine and said: “it’s been better.” I could have let the comment go.  I was exhausted, I had had better days myself, and it was cold.  But in the moment- I chose differently. I wish I could say it’s because I’m a good person, but I’ve learned claiming credit for God’s work is never a good idea. Instead - “is there something I can be praying about?” 

And from this quiet woman, unleashed the story of struggles from the day, compounded by the challenges of the week. My exhaustion melted away and was replaced by joy. To be seen is a priceless moment. For this woman to know she wasn’t forgotten. That she was loved by God, and was not alone. 

When life seems dark and hope lost, we have a choice. The wilderness can be a place that destroys, or it can be a place that brings life. We can lift our eyes. 

Our ancestors, in days long gone by, had been rescued. There is no greater joy. God promised to bring them to a place of freedom. But it required going through the wilderness to get there.  Generation after generation after generation.  

And so the words of Isaiah 40 echo over another generation and ours, as well. Isaiah had just finished bringing a word of rebuke, but the promise of God cannot be vanquished or forgotten. It is a fire that stirs so deeply in Isaiah's bones and can do nothing but break free.  And so he reminds the people that even though the wilderness is daunting, God will make good on His promise.  And in a play on words- promises that all of the struggles will not be for naught- God will use them. And a double portion of grace will be poured out. The debt will be paid. Restoration accomplished. 

But Isaiah is very clear.  This will not be accomplished in the way of the culture around them. No processional road would be built by their own hands to welcome kings, dignitaries and gods into their midst to rescue and save them. The love of God is bigger than that. He and He alone made the way. And then the boldest move of all- choosing to include them - and us - in the story.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  ~Ephesians 2.8-10

The way has been made, but then we get to move boulders. Clear land.  Make sure our brothers and sisters don’t stumble along the way.  And then He comes to us.  Clothed in humanity.  God with us. Emmanuel.

Sometimes we see God come in power. The arm of the Lord rescues, redeems, restores. But it is by the same arm that we are also gathered in and held close to the heart of the King, listening to His heart beat. 

So when the storm rages and the wilderness threats to consume us... Lift your eyes. To see the cloud of smoke by day and pillar of fire by night, rescuing and leading to freedom and restoration. Lift your eyes to see the light of Advent candles and a Christmas tree. Our God has not left you alone or forgotten - He is coming to make all things new. And in the meantime- may you hear the voice crying out in the wilderness. Or may you be the voice calling out to another in their darkest night. Reminding them- 

The Word of God endures forever.