Higher

…“Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

(Revelations 4:1, NKJV)

Nature has a very effective way of teaching us about seasons of life.  When we stand at the edge of an ocean, we admire the blue expanse of the water and more often than not, the space has a calming effect on our bodies and souls.  The seemingly infinite spread of water as far as our eyes can see makes us appreciate how much more is out there.  For many people, this is a good place to think, plan and set goals allowing their minds to dream big.  Another space that spreads out before our very eyes is a desert.  Everywhere one looks there is sand and the sand dunes created by the wind and gravity.  Looking into the distant with the help of the hot sun, the desert has its own beauty and mirage effects which seem real only to be revealed later as illusions.  Just like the oceans, the deserts give us an infinite sight, calling us to look further and further.  It is as if they call us to a place beyond where we stand, to rise up higher in our reach of life.

Our reference verse is by John the revelator when he saw the throne room of heaven, the words above were his invitation to engage with the heavenlies.  Meditating on these words, suggests to me that there are some areas of our lives that we shall never experience until we lift up our eyes to see what is ahead.  When we choose to live in the comfort areas of our control, we limit our abilities to rise into greater levels of our lives and unfortunately, this does not satisfy.  Believers live on the earth but by the help of the Holy spirit, we can do greater things.  We have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) which means that in prayer, we can understand and discern matters beyond our human abilities.  Jesus Himself told us that those who believe in Him, will do greater things (John 14:12) by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  Beloved, our choice of sight could be what has limited our achievements both physically and spiritually.  I too stand guilty for not living the higher life that God calls us to, and yes, this perspective is counter-intuitive to what our environments have socialized us to.  It invites us to see our lives and challenges from God’s point of view, it is a call to rise above the fears and doubts that hold us back.  The stretch to grow into the fullness of our capacities and calling in God is not comfortable, it calls for courage and faith in the Father who never fails His children. David the psalmist knew these struggles and so he cried out to God that in overwhelming moments, God would lead him to a rock higher than himself (Psalm 61:2). 

 God continually calls His people to much more than they are able to in their own strength.  He encourages us by His words that those who know their God will be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32).  The premise of doing greater and better is our knowledge of God, who is faithful and able to hold us up.  It is easy for us to drift into the familiar and never go beyond what we know, but God calls us higher.  When the Israelites were in the desert, we see God telling Moses that they have been around the same mountain for too long (Deuteronomy 1:6).  Could this be our situation and we do not even know it?  May we be those who pursue God to greater heights of faith and performance, being fully aware that our strength and reliance is only in Him.  Beloved, come up higher.

 Thoughts:

What is your reflection of this word?

Where have you stagnated?

How has God lifted you higher beyond your ability?