From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:2-3
The California sky is its usual bright azure. Streaming through my car window, the warm sun feels toasty as it radiates through me. After all the rain we’ve had, I am hoping spring might actually be upon us. Thankful the traffic isn’t bumper-to-bumper, I drive along the freeway, drinking in the gorgeous day.
That’s when I see it. Actually, it takes a few seconds to even realize what I am seeing. It is not something you’d expect to see along the side of the freeway. I do a double-take as I whiz by. It is a ladder, the kind that folds out and stands eight or ten feet tall. Climbing up this bright orange ladder is a man. What in the world is he doing on a ladder on the shoulder of the freeway? And then I spy it. Clutching the ladder rung with one hand, the other hand grips a camera. I can’t stop myself from laughing out loud. What photographers won’t do to get a good shot!
I know what he is shooting. My mind harkens back only to several weeks before when I, too, pulled over near that same spot with camera in tow. In the early to mid-spring, thousands of brilliantly hued yellow flowers dot the green hills in this valley. Much to my dismay, the best views always seem to be from the freeway. That day, I had stopped at home, grabbed my camera, and headed back to the freeway to capture these tiny gems called mustard flowers. While I was satisfied with most of the photos, it was indeed challenging to shoot the verdant hill with the not-so-attractive foreground. I totally understand why this photographer brought his ladder.
How often do we focus on the messiness of the foreground and forget to look up to the beauty right before us? When life is stressful and busy, when bad news abounds, do we focus on the fray in front of us? Or do we climb up for a higher perspective?
Our key verse speaks to that vertical focus. When circumstances of life tear us down and wear us out, there is One who can lift us up out of the chaos and set our feet on higher ground. When we remember to call out to God for help, He comes along beside us and gives us a new perspective. Praying to God in the midst of trials and even just day-to-day busyness renews our spirit and keeps our focus on the Savior rather than our situation. Prayer relieves the anxiety and overwhelmed emotions as we allow hope rather than defeat to claim our mind and thoughts (Philippians 4:6-7). God’s peace and presence keep our eyes focused vertically, not horizontally. With God’s help, we can indeed rise above our circumstances. No ladder required!
Dear God, I thank You that when I call to You in trying circumstances, You hear my call for help and You answer me. Thank You for giving me a new, vertical focus. Keep me looking up to You for peace in the midst of the fray. Amen.
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Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of rock at Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
If you are curious, here’s a photo of the mustard flowers:
The California sky is its usual bright azure. Streaming through my car window, the warm sun feels toasty as it radiates through me. After all the rain we’ve had, I am hoping spring might actually be upon us. Thankful the traffic isn’t bumper-to-bumper, I drive along the freeway, drinking in the gorgeous day.
That’s when I see it. Actually, it takes a few seconds to even realize what I am seeing. It is not something you’d expect to see along the side of the freeway. I do a double-take as I whiz by. It is a ladder, the kind that folds out and stands eight or ten feet tall. Climbing up this bright orange ladder is a man. What in the world is he doing on a ladder on the shoulder of the freeway? And then I spy it. Clutching the ladder rung with one hand, the other hand grips a camera. I can’t stop myself from laughing out loud. What photographers won’t do to get a good shot!
I know what he is shooting. My mind harkens back only to several weeks before when I, too, pulled over near that same spot with camera in tow. In the early to mid-spring, thousands of brilliantly hued yellow flowers dot the green hills in this valley. Much to my dismay, the best views always seem to be from the freeway. That day, I had stopped at home, grabbed my camera, and headed back to the freeway to capture these tiny gems called mustard flowers. While I was satisfied with most of the photos, it was indeed challenging to shoot the verdant hill with the not-so-attractive foreground. I totally understand why this photographer brought his ladder.
How often do we focus on the messiness of the foreground and forget to look up to the beauty right before us? When life is stressful and busy, when bad news abounds, do we focus on the fray in front of us? Or do we climb up for a higher perspective?
Our key verse speaks to that vertical focus. When circumstances of life tear us down and wear us out, there is One who can lift us up out of the chaos and set our feet on higher ground. When we remember to call out to God for help, He comes along beside us and gives us a new perspective. Praying to God in the midst of trials and even just day-to-day busyness renews our spirit and keeps our focus on the Savior rather than our situation. Prayer relieves the anxiety and overwhelmed emotions as we allow hope rather than defeat to claim our mind and thoughts (Philippians 4:6-7). God’s peace and presence keep our eyes focused vertically, not horizontally. With God’s help, we can indeed rise above our circumstances. No ladder required!
Dear God, I thank You that when I call to You in trying circumstances, You hear my call for help and You answer me. Thank You for giving me a new, vertical focus. Keep me looking up to You for peace in the midst of the fray. Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of rock at Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
If you are curious, here’s a photo of the mustard flowers:
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