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The deep darkness in this world can sometimes weigh our heads down. Our eyes remain fixed on our next step, our minds focused on not stumbling, not falling flat on our faces.

It is easy to become mired in the muck of a broken world. We struggle and strive, our backs bent under the bulk of all that is upon us.

Yet God is here.

Right here.

Closer than your breath.

The evidence is all around you. So lift up your head just for a moment.

 

 

 

 

You who are bowed down with physical pain, lift up your head.

 

 

 

You who dwell under the weight of loneliness or depression, lift up your head.

 

 

 

 

You who are crushed by a grief that prevents you from even getting out of bed in the morning, lift up your head.

 

 

 

You who are burdened by the venom between fellow countrymen and fellow Christ followers, lift up your head.

 

 

 

 

You who plead with God to do something, to rescue you, to save you, for God’s sake doesn’t He even care,

lift up your head.

 

 

 

 

 

Lift up your head and take a breath of wonder. He is all around you. This beauty is for you.

It doesn’t fully dispel the darkness, at least not yet, but it will give you the strength to keep shining your own light for another day.

And that’s all you need. Just one more day.

Lift up your head.

Art credits: Mountain photos and tulip photo by Kirk Sewell; Space photos by NASA; Elk photo by Kevin Tuck; Elephant photo by Stella Bogdanic; all other photos are mine