Calvary's touch Encourages you: Where are you looking- it makes a difference!

look

Have you ever thought that your 'looking' makes a difference in your life? Where do you look has a lot to tell what you are looking for as well as what kind of a person you are! What is attracting our attention, our energies and influencing us most? Our look speaks of our desires, longings, and also what we are seeking after in life. Here are several "looks" that have such a profound impact upon our lives, we can not escape from them- we all 'look' in one or more of those directions.

* Looking Backward: Some people have a habit of looking back always. They have doubts about what happened and they always think of the past and waste their time conducting post-mortems of events, etc. What happens when you look back is, it arrests progress and so you won't be able to go forward, and of course, can't change the past history too!
We have the sad examples of Lot's wife in the Old Testament, who was warned against looking back. She became a stationary pillar of salt. Another example is about the one who desired to follow the Lord but looked back. To Him the Lord Jesus said: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). So, what is the solution?

* Looking Ahead: Instead of looking back, we are exhorted and encouraged to look ahead. It speaks of our hope and goal. It accelerates our race to reach, and achieve definite goals in life. It helps us in our growth, progression and increases our assurance and peace to accept everyday as it comes.
We have challenging examples from the O.T. believers, who looked forward to seeing God's promises fulfilled and lived their lives joyfully and in hope (Heb.11:10). And Apostle Paul expressed his determination thus: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize..." (Phil. 3:13,14). So keep looking forward always, whatever your present predicaments or crises. There is going to come a day when you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel as you keep going forward in your life's journey.

* Looking at Self: Often when we are faced with insurmountable problems and seemingly impossible situations, we look at our weaknesses and inability to face the challenges in life. What happens when you turn your focus onto yourself at such times? That look at self generates fear, doubts, questions and makes you feel so helpless and hopeless. Because, there will be circumstances where our knowledge, abilities, and resources become deficient to come to our rescue. We have an example of what happened when people look at themselves, in the story of the spies sent out to spy the land of Canaan God promised to them (Numbers 13:28-33). They feared so much when they compared themselves to the giants in that land, that they utterly refused to enter the promised land and also discouraged others with their report. So what to do and where to look to?

* Look at God's Promises: Even when everything around us changes, one thing remains constant and never changes- the Promises of God. You can safely count on them. How beautiful and reassuring is the song, when we sing:

Yes, you get encouragement, comfort, and inspiration to face the challenges with confidence and courage. Caleb and Joshua are examples of such champions of faith in God's promises, they not only believed in what God has promised but also motivated all other people to go and inherit those promises! (Num. 14:8-9). Remember, man's words may fail. But what God has promised in His word never fails! They are trustworthy because He is a Faithful God. Hallelujah!

So, as you come across various situations in life, and search for focus, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, looking up to His promises to assure you and encourage you. You will overcome and be victorious. You will have hope.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross,..and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2,3.

Be encouraged.

*********************Letter # 12 (24. 3. 2002)*******************