Morning walks are a new thing for me. In the past, POTS and chronic fatigue kept me in bed till late in the morning, sometimes all afternoon. I couldn't see the sunrise. Breakfast was always brunch, and walking was a brief evening activity, if I could even walk at all. Ever since I started healing my gut and treating a chronic bladder infection in 2023, my physical stamina has increased, and with it has come the ability to wake up earlier, see my child off to school, and spend a few quality moments walking with my husband.
This past week, weighed down by the series of viruses we've faced, endless depressing headlines and social media posts, and being stuck in survival mode, I suddenly looked up from my feet as I walked. Taking in the beauty of the blue sky, the just-starting-to-change leaves, and the sun shining brightly, I realized how much of my focus has been on my phone, the things of this world, and my own discomfort. As I later read 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, I was once again reminded to lift my eyes to God: "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
If you are feeling the same hopelessness and powerlessness that I have been feeling lately - seeing truth constantly distorted, hypocrisy everywhere, lies used to hurt others while invoking the name of the Lord, people arguing without empathy, and unjust cruelty appearing to triumph over kindness and mercy - I want to share with you this song that expresses the hope of Psalm 121, which comforted me in my darkest times. As you listen, look up with your eyes and your soul to Jesus, and wait and see what God will do. He is still in control. "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) He is coming back in power. We just need to keep looking up.
