Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.
–Numbers 21:9

The internet abounds with videos of people walking and texting, so intent on their phones that they are oblivious to their surroundings. They’ll walk into an unopened door, or crash into a display in a store, fall into a pond, or smack into a parked car.

In 2014, researchers at the University of Queensland, in Australia, published study results that tied texting while walking to poor balance and an inability to walk in a straight line, in addition to reduced speed.

All because these people — the ones texting — aren’t looking up.

Jesus hung on a cross, suspended above everyone in agonizing pain until He took His last breath. As He hung there, people looked up to see Him. Some looked up in amusement. Some looked up with satisfaction. Some looked up in grief. Some looked up in amazement. But we can look up with gratitude and hope.

When we look up to Jesus, we see the eternal life He has to offer us. However, when we keep our focus on the things the world shoves in front of us, we get distracted. And that is even more dangerous than texting while walking. If we don’t look up, these distractions will cost us our life — our eternal life.

Prayer

Dear God, Please keep my eyes lifted up. Keep my heart, my mind, my soul, focused on You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Reflection

What is currently drawing my focus away from God?