Look Up

At any given time your pace can be slowed or even come to a stop.  That's what just happened to me the last two weeks.  I thought I was moving confidently in the shift with hope for my new journey.  Not forgetting to give the Lord praise and always knowing that I live and move and have my being in Him!  Then all of a sudden, a bump in the middle of the road.  I'm familiar with the process of purification.  I know well that it's more than a desire that I have but it involves a work of the Lord's hand upon me pressing and burning and squeezing.  A wringing, shaking, surrender and finally what's was unclear becomes clear and what seemed far away now is right upon me.  Yes Lord, speak Lord.

Luk 21:8  He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.
Luk 21:9  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
Luk 21:10  Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luk 21:11  There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Luk 21:12  "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
Luk 21:13  This will result in your being witnesses to them.
Luk 21:14  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
Luk 21:15  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Luk 21:16  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
Luk 21:17  All men will hate you because of me.
Luk 21:18  But not a hair of your head will perish.
Luk 21:19  By standing firm you will gain life.
Luk 21:20  "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
Luk 21:21  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
Luk 21:22  For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.
Luk 21:23  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
Luk 21:24  They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luk 21:25  "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Luk 21:26  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Luk 21:27  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Look up beloved!  Think it not strange when you're tried and tested.  Remember, being a child of the Lord doesn't protect us from the tests but we're never alone and all of these things will result in our being a witness of Him to others!  By standing firm you will gain life!  So fret not, know that God loves you and keep looking up for your redemption is drawing near!  I'm encouraged, are you?

Prayer:  Lord help me to always look up.  I must not allow the tests and circumstances of this life that are only eye level at best to keep me from looking UP!  I know and will respond in the light of Your word, "my redeemer is drawing near."  Amen.