“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the LIFTER UP of mine HEAD.”
Psalms 3:3
In the last 45 years of my life, I have confronted challenges that seemed insurmountable at that moment. However, I never look down in despair or defeat because we serve a God who lifts our heads. He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1. We are victors
We are no longer victims but victors in Christ Jesus!
When Peter looked down at the waves beneath his feet, he faltered. When he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on water.
I once walked across a high current river on a hanging man-made bridge. It was a frightening experience. At the beginning of the walk, The instructor told us, “Whatever you do…don’t look down.” What the instructor said to us that day became a golden rule that I have applied in different circumstances faced in life. It is essential to keep our focus forward on the task ahead, looking to the One who goes before us.
2. The fear of failure keeps us from moving forward
If I were to ask you to walk across an eight-foot beam only two feet off the ground, would you do it? Probably. There isn’t much risk in it.
What if I raised it five feet off the ground? Most likely. But what if I lifted it 25 feet off the ground or even 50 feet? How about 500 feet or 5,000 feet? At what point would you drop out and why? Was it because you didn’t know how to walk across an eight-foot beam? Of course not.
It takes the same skill level to walk across an eight-foot beam at 500 feet as it does at two feet off the ground. In reality, nothing changed except for your increased fear of failure.
Fear keeps us from going higher and believing in God for more significant opportunities. Look upward for perspective, look within for courage, look outward for opportunities, look back in remembrance, but whatever you do…don’t look down!
I leave you with a word from the apostle Paul …
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
Have a blessed week,
Pastor (Rev. Elias Limones)
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