Walk with Him: Look Up to Christ

The Israelites complained. A lot. Verse after verse. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt?” “We’re going to die.” “We’re hungry.” “We’re thirsty.” “We’re sick of manna!” In a moment of possible frustration, God said unto Moses, “How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?” (Numbers 14:11).

I’ve done my share of complaining, especially when it comes to change because change is uncomfortable. As humans, we actually like ruts and routines. We like predictability, not uncertainty. Even a simple detour on our drive home can create anxiety because it’s not what we planned. But if we could relax into this simple change, the detour could uncover delightful neighborhoods and unseen views.

There is always a choice when it comes to change: look down at all that is wrong and could go wrong, or look up, pause the complaints, and consider the possibilities. When the children of Israel were bitten by poisonous serpents, Moses was commanded to raise up a brass serpent on a pole. The brass serpent represented Christ. Those who looked up were healed. Those who chose to look away or keep looking down, perished (Numbers 21:9).

Look up to Christ–a simple choice, but one that makes all the difference.

“The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.” (Elder Orson F. Whitney)
“Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.” (Elder Gene R. Cook)