LOOK TO THE LORD

LOOK TO THE LORD
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till He shows us His mercy” (Psalm 123:1,2 NIV).
Have you ever been in the midst of the ordinary when suddenly the Lord shows up and reveals something to you about being in relationship with Him?
The sidewalk narrowed and I dropped back behind Marc and Teddy. Teddy is our golden retriever and is about to turn two years old. He is a wonderful dog. Not only is he beautiful, but he is so very gentle. I smiled as I recalled a recent visit by our six year old grandson Hunter. Hunter picked up one of Teddy’s toys and began to run through the living room, dining room, kitchen, entry way and back to the living room with Teddy in hot pursuit. Around and around they went. Teddy could have easily caught Hunter, knocked him down and taken his toy back, but he didn’t. The great chase finally ended with Hunter turning around giggling, as 110 pounds of joy licked his face. The memory warmed my heart as we walked along under a starry canopy.
Suddenly, headlights pierced the darkness as a car approached from behind us. I glanced at Teddy, wondering if he was going to try to chase the car as he had the previous morning on our walk. I could see the scene clearly in my mind’s eye. A car approached from behind us, and as it passed Teddy suddenly darted after the car, attempting to chase after it. Marc’s discipline was immediate and firm. His hand gave the corrective collar a jerk, and his voice thundered through the predawn stillness as he commanded Teddy to heel. I wondered now what was about to happen.
The car was fast approaching, Teddy’s ears moved into alert mode and there was no doubt he was very much aware of what was coming. The car reached us and as it passed Teddy suddenly turned his gaze upward to his master, and then he touched Marc’s hand with his muzzle while moving his body in closer until he was actually in physical contact with Marc as they continued walking along. For several minutes they walked this way, with Teddy constantly looking up at Marc, and Marc pouring verbal praises down on Teddy. Teddy was basking in the approval of his master.
As I took in the scene, I pondered Teddy’s response to his master’s discipline. He hadn’t pouted or become wild or rebellious. His response was to look to his master and move in closer to him. “A master disciplines those he loves.” “Lord, I didn’t see you arrive,” I said a bit startled. I looked at Marc and wondered if he noticed the Lord walking with us. Teddy had stopped to investigate some bushes as we turned onto a path that wound through many trees and shrubs.
“I don’t like discipline very much,” I said, flatly. “I discipline those who belong to Me. Don’t make light of it,” He replied. He stopped to look at a little blue flower that had opened at the tip of one of the many vines that lined the path. The vines had recently been pruned, and were now beginning to blossom again. The scene caught my attention. “Discipline produces fruit, doesn’t it Lord,” I asked as I turned my heart’s gaze fully toward Him.
I glanced over at Marc and Teddy and then back to Him whom my soul loves as I thought about what the Lord was revealing to my heart. “Lord,” I whispered. “Make my response to your discipline like Teddy’s. Help me to learn from it and to look to You and move in so close to you that I am in contact with you. Help me to stay in step with you. Thank You for reeling me in at those times I have allowed something to distract me from You, and I have run off after it. Thank You, Lord, for Your discipline.”
We walked in quietness, my heart overwhelmed by His presence. I turned my gaze up to Him, and He reached down and touched my heart with His nail-pierced hand, and I moved in closer, so close I could feel His very presence, and I never wanted to leave His side. Joy!
How about you, my sweet friend? What is your response to the Lord’s discipline in your life? Read Hebrews 12. Then look up and move in. Look up at the One who calls you His own, and draw closer to Him. Oh the blooms that will appear in your life as a result.

An original Conversations at the Well
By Diana Morgan
© Copyright by Diana Morgan September 16, 2010