I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) 

 

What determines our direction in life? I once heard an answer to that question in a surprising place: a motorcycle training course. Some friends and I wanted to ride, so we took a class to learn how. Part of our training dealt with something called target fixation. 

 

“Eventually,” our instructor said, “you’re going to face an unexpected obstacle. If you stare at it—if you target fixate—you’ll steer right into it. But if you look above and past it to where you need to go, you can usually avoid it.” Then he added, “Where you’re looking is the direction you’re going to go.” 

 

That simple-but-profound principle applies to our spiritual lives too. When we “target fixate”—focusing on our problems or struggles—we almost automatically orient our lives around them. 

 

However, Scripture encourages us to look past our problems to the One who can help us with them. In Psalm 121:1, we read, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help?” The psalm then answers: “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. . . .The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (vv. 2, 8). 

 

Sometimes our obstacles can seem insurmountable. But God invites us to look to Him to help us see beyond our troubles instead of letting them dominate our perspective. 

 

Father, help me not to “target fixate,” but to look to You whenever I face fearful obstacles as I seek to follow You along life’s road. Amen. 

 

This devotion blessed me so very much. What a reminder where our true source of strength and help comes from, The Maker of heaven and earth. It’s not within ourselves. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:9, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Matthew 5:6