Jim Mann
The author of the Book of Hebrews says, “Consider him [Jesus] …so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:3, NIV).” That second verb is very descriptive: it literally means “to release.” The idea is that weariness can cause us to “let go” and “lose a grip” on our hearts.
Weariness is at work around us, isn’t it? I’m not just talking about the “weary” we face after the holidays. I’m talking about a spiritual/emotional weariness. All the pressure and bad news that surrounds us bows our heads in weariness. We can easily look down in defeat when we should look up to Jesus.
In his famous Parable of the Sower, the sower is sowing the encouraging and uplifting “seed” of the Word of God. One of the dangers is that “…the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19, NIV).”
When you are weary, when the cares of the world are making life unfruitful, what can you do? Look up. Consider Him rather than the cares of the world. Consider Him rather than unreliable wealth. Consider Him over everything else.
Consider what God says in His word. Be moved by the thoughts of God.
Look up! Get your eyes off the circumstances around you and onto Him. If you have become weary lately, as we head into 2018 lift your eyes. Raise your head up instead of looking down.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills—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 121, NIV).”
Happy New Year! Keep your head up and I’ll see you in church!
Jim Mann, Ph.D. pastors New Life Church at Robson Ranch. This interdenominational church meets at the Robson Clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Visit New Life’s website: www.NewLifeDenton.org for more information.