Psalm 136:3-6, Psalm 8:1, Romans 8:28

Teresa Phillips

As a child I remember going swimming with school to the local baths. I've always been a water baby and absolutely loved it. However, there was one thing that I could never quite master and that was floating on my back. The teacher used to instruct us to float for a minute without moving at all, and shouted at us if we moved an inch! Yet I couldn't do it. I was so sure that I would sink and could always feel my body drifting downwards so I'd always try and discreetly move my arms or feet to keep myself afloat. He always saw me, of course.

However, I recently figured out how to do it! I was in the gym pool, floating about in a childlike manner, having lost the will to do any swimming, when I figured that if I could just keep looking up, I could do it! If you remain completely still, and even if it feels like you're going to sink, concentrate on looking up and keeping your face out of the water, you start to feel your body drifting back up to the surface of the water.

Well, what has this got to do with anything? Good question. Its simple. When life is difficult, look up to Jesus. It is the only option.

So, to be specific, and hopefully helpful, what does 'looking up' mean?

• It means recognising that God is powerful and mighty:
  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8:1)
• He is King of the world, of all creation:
  Give thanks to the Lord of lords...who by his understanding made the heavens..who spread out the earth upon the waters...who made the great lights, the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. (Psalm 136)
  At youth group recently we talked about different ways of experiencing God. Many of my young people said that they felt close to God when they were within his creation; when they see the stars on a clear night or the wonder of countryside landscapes. The power of a thunderstorm and the strength of water. He deserves to be King in your life as well as of all creation. When you put him as King, you have nothing to worry about.
• It means recognising that God is bigger than anything you're going through and will intervene at the right time.
• It means trusting God when you can't see what's coming. If you're looking up in the swimming pool you can't see what's going on around you. But the lifeguard, on his high seat can. God can see what's going on and He will guide you.
• It means having joy in the midst of difficult times. How can you be angry, bitter or sorrowful when you look in the face of Jesus? When you see his eyes of love, when you look into the eyes of the one who was tortured to death to save you, allow his love to melt all the worry and fear away and give you peace and joy.
• It means acknowledging that He is greater. 'Looking up' to someone can suggest that they are on a pedestal; that they are greater than you. Be humble in your circumstances.
• It means admiring God. We often talk about 'looking up' to someone we admire or want to be like. If it is our life goal to be like Jesus, God will honour us and will be able to work in our lives to bring good (Rom 8.28).

So, stop panicking and worrying. Look up.