Going with the Flow

I blame my kids. Really.

Look, I’m not a big cell phone gamer, but I do enjoy the occasional app that comes along that can serve as a nice brain unplug when I need to step away and find a distraction. That game for me recently? It’s called Flow. There’s not much to it really. You connect the colored dots and avoid crossing paths with the colors that you have connected. The only problem is that as you advance a level, the next level gets harder. Before you know it, you’re staring at a board that seems unsolvable. Ironic that this thing I do to relax and unplug would actually turn on me and cause stress and anxiety. However, I may have cracked the code on this game. Here’s my secret. I just have to shut it down, walk away, and visit it again with fresh eyes. When I do? I see a new route and find the answer has been right there looking at me.

Life can be the same way, right? You hit an impasse. You hit a road block. It’s frustrating — I get it. So what do you do in those moments? Simple. Ready?

We look up.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” (Psalm 121:1)
“To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” (Psalm 123:1)
“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

Love the nudges you get in Scripture that remind us to lift our eyes. It truly changes the perspective. King David knew it. Isaiah conveyed it. Even Jesus saw the benefit of it. In John’s Gospel standing outside Lazarus’ tomb, what did Jesus do? He lifted His eyes and gave glory to the One who was able to raise the dead (John 11:41). Even more? On the eve of His arrest and crucifixion? “…and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.’” (John 17:1)

So to you, my friend, lift your eyes. Perhaps it seems hopeless. Perhaps the puzzle that you’re facing in this very moment seems unsolvable. Gain a new perspective by gazing into the eyes of the One who loves you and wants to hear from you this very moment. And then? Get back in the game. God’s gonna guide you through it.