The Joy of The Journey: Lifted Up

The Joy of The Journey

Lifted Up

 

One of the greatest challenges believers face is keeping their eyes on Christ when life becomes difficult. Trials, disappointments, sickness, financial pressures, and uncertainty all compete for our attention. The more we focus on our problems, the larger they appear. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls us to lift our eyes above our circumstances and behold the greatness of Christ. Victory is found not by magnifying our troubles but by exalting the Savior.  All of us have faced problems, but we must realize Christ is greater!

The prophet Isaiah was given a powerful vision of God’s majesty. He wrote, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). Notice the timing of this vision. It came during a season of national uncertainty and personal concern. Yet while the earthly throne was shaken, the heavenly throne remained occupied. God was still sovereign, still reigning, and still worthy of worship.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that glorious vision. He is not merely a teacher or religious leader; He is the exalted King of kings and Lord of lords. After His resurrection and return to heaven, He was seated at the Father’s right hand in the place of supreme authority. Paul declares that God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:20–21).

The victory of the Christian life begins with seeing Christ as He truly is. When Christ is high in our thoughts, our fears begin to shrink. When Christ is lifted up in our hearts, anxiety loses its grip. When Christ occupies the center of our attention, our circumstances no longer define our outlook.  Our problems don’t seem so big when we look through the lens of seeing Jesus high and lifted up.

The writer of Hebrews urges believers to “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The phrase “looking to Jesus” conveys the idea of turning our eyes away from competing distractions and fixing them upon Him. Peter walked on water as long as he kept his focus on Christ, but when he began looking at the wind and waves, he started to sink (Matthew 14:29–30). The lesson is clear: what we focus on greatly influences how we live.

Keeping Christ lifted up does not mean pretending our problems do not exist. Rather, it means viewing our problems through the lens of God’s greatness. David understood this principle when he faced Goliath. While everyone else saw an unbeatable giant, David saw a God who was greater than any enemy. His confidence was not in himself but in the Lord.

Paul echoes this truth in Romans 8:37: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”. Notice that victory is not achieved by our strength, determination, or wisdom. It comes through Christ. As we keep Him exalted in our worship, prayers, thoughts, and daily living, His power becomes evident in our weakness.

Jesus Himself promised, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). While this speaks primarily of His crucifixion, it also reminds us that Christ must remain the central focus of our lives and ministries. A church that lifts up Christ will find hope. A family that lifts upChrist will find strength. A believer who lifts up Christ will find peace and victory.

No matter what challenge you face today, remember that Christ is still on the throne. He is still high and lifted up. Lift your eyes above the storm, exalt Him above every fear, and trust His sovereign power. When Christ is magnified, faith rises, hope flourishes, and victory becomes possible because the One who reigns over all things is with us.