I LOOK TO YOU...

Rainy season here seems to be holding on a bit longer than usual. I've been more than ready for the frequent rains and cloudy days, along with mud-soaked jeans and shoes, to finish and for the sun to fully come back.

The transition has finally started to happen, the sun has returned .... especially in the mornings....

I have loved to open my curtains and look out my window to see the sun rise and to feel its warmth. I’ve almost applauded it several mornings. 

It’s the first thing I’ve been looking for the past several days. Will the sun be out today?

That “first look” has made me reflect on where I tend to look FIRST in the morning or in my day.  Who or what gets my FIRST attention?

Often in our tech driven world- we look FIRST to social media. Who messaged me and who is doing what?  We check our facebook or twitter; email or our mobile phones.

Sometimes maybe we look at our TO DO list.  Or maybe we look in on family members- helping them, him-her, prepare for the day.

Often- where we look first, can easily set the tone for our mood, our feelings for the day. Maybe we go into the day disappointed or stressed because of where we looked first.

I’ve been reminded this past week that my “first look” each day needs to be to God…before anything or anyone else. Why?

There are many reasons. But here are a few…

GOD DESERVES OUR FIRST LOOK BECAUSE…

He Is Worthy

We have a God who is INCOMPARABLE in who He is. 

When you look at who He is- maybe you bow your head in reverence, maybe you lift your hands in praise, maybe you smile, or tears come to your eyes at the power of His presence and mercy- the way He paints skies and moves in our lives and world.  Amazing! And He’s invited us to come near and see Him, to know Him, to walk and talk with Him. What greater relationship, what greater gift can one marvel at than this gift offered to us? May we look to Him FIRST, He’s worthy!

Psalm 145:3

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom

Psalm 29:2

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name, worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness

Exodus 15:11

Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

And when we look to Him FIRST, our view about ourselves, our day, our stress, can get RIGHT PERSPECTIVE.

He Gives Perspective 

Looking to God FIRST, gives perspective!

God is BIG, ALL-POWERFUL, All-KNOWING. And He’s FOR us and is WITH us. 

He has perfect wisdom. Every day He is writing in His Word what He wants us to know. He can put everything in perspective. Problems don’t seem big at all when we look to God FIRST.  Mountains can be moved; rivers can be parted. Doors can be opened. Diseases can be healed. A way can be made. 

May we look to Him FIRST for the perspective we need!

Matthew 6:33

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Psalm 5:3/8:3-4;9
In the morning, Oh Lord, you will hear my voice... When I consider the work of your heavens...what is man that you are mindful of him, .....Oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

He is the Source of All We Need

We also need to look to God first because He is ALL we need.

God is the ONLY One who can satisfy our deepest needs. He is the ultimate source of lasting satisfaction and our only sure foundation.  May we not look to other things before Him. May we drink from the right well, build our lives on the only foundation that will last.

Isaiah 48:17

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 4:14

Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

Isaiah 33:6

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

So often in years past, I went through my days- not seeking God first . I looked other places first and often had wrong perspective and wrong sources of peace, joy, and affirmation.  I gave worth (time and focus) to other things first, before God.  Yet it is God who deserves our first look and our worship. 

After college, I lived in the country of Haiti. Our mission team at the time literally lived on the roof of our compound. Sleeping on that roof and waking up in the morning there were especially memorable for me. I would wake up literally looking up at God- the big expanse of the sky He made. And I would immediately feel small. At first- for several months, I was afraid- overwhelmed. I felt my smallness.  But over time, the focus on my smallness changed to a focus on God’s bigness- and it led to me literally worshipping God in my bed. My hands would raise and I would sing.  I think this brought a smile to God’s face.  I gave to Him worth-worship! I went into my day having looked FIRST at Him- the right source of all I needed, and thus I had perspective.

May I continue to look to Him FIRST, every day! This is my prayer for this busy fall season.

Onward!

Prayer Requests

-This week, school has started at Hope University College in Addis. I am teaching Communication English to four classes of students, around 150 students, 16 hours a week of class time. Please pray as this huge part of my schedule begins- that God will use me on campus and in the classroom to represent Him well.

-I continue to teach two evening classes (Intro to Missions and Intro to Youth Ministry) at a local seminary. Please pray God will continue to bless these class times.

-Please pray for my sister as she serves this week and into next week in South Sudan with a Ginghamsburg Mission Team. Pray for their safety and that they're a blessing to the people and missionaries there.

-Please keep my Amharic language learning in prayer, that I can learn quickly and use the language correctly.

-Please pray for good health and good relationships with students, co-workers, neighbors.

-And please pray I can maximize days and times here- that I will seek God FIRST each day.

Thanks so much for your prayers and partnership!

Happy October and fall season to you! God Bless!