Looking Higher :)

As the joy of Christmas fades to a cozy warm memory and the buzz of the New Year begins to settle, my heart still ponders on the marvelous works of the one true God. “O that I may come to know something of Him alone” my heart says as I quote Philippians 3:10 once again. I feel the call, even now greater than ever, to come to know nothing other than Christ alone. My spirit feels restless of all the self-aided programs and gimmicks I have produced trying to know Him in further measure. I think over the few weeks break that I had, and ask myself, “What did God really show me about myself and Him? Where am I going wrong by simply trying to come closer to Him? Why is my Christian walk becoming more like a duty than a Life that lives Himself through me?” And then the Light shines Himself in, exposing to me all the cobwebs of religion stored in the corners of my very soul. “Where did these come from?” I ask myself. Then Christ softly speaks to me, “These came from you trying to know Me in your own power. Religion is very simple… it is someone trying to know God in his or her own ability. It can never work. There is only one way to know God… that is literally through Me. No man comes unto the Father but by Me. I Am the Way. I Am the Truth. I am your only hope of Life, and you can only come to know Me by humbly obeying My Word when I speak. Read and pray, yes… but do know that your reading and praying in itself is not what will bring you nearer to me…I demand faith and obedience.” Then I remind myself that faith is simply casting all of me at the feet of Christ, awaiting His Living Water to change the current of mine, resulting in Himself becoming greater alive in me. As I ponder these thoughts, I think of Hebrews 12:2, “(Looking away from all that distracts and) unto Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.” The Answer to coming to know Him is this simple… just keep looking Higher. Higher than where you are right now. Higher than the present circumstances. Higher than the new political agenda. Higher than the power of discouragement. Higher than the will of self working. Higher than the overwhelming pressures of common life. Higher than this world itself. Higher than the angels of Heaven. Look higher until you see Jesus as the fullest expression of total Salvation. This is your time, beloved, to look Higher… and see Jesus as All.