We were on a hike in the area around Mt. Baker. The mountain had been hiding behind clouds for much of the day. Finally the clouds moved on and the mountain came into full view. Soon after that we met a young couple on the trail and mentioned how we had been waiting for the mountain to show itself. After we said that they looked up with surprise and said, “Oh, there it is.”

They were hiking in the direction of the mountain. A nice view of it had been in front of them for quite a few minutes. But they were busy looking at the trail. We wondered how long they might have kept on hiking, while missing the beautiful view of the mountain. It was available if they just lifted up their heads.

It is easy for us to get busy, hurrying along in life. We look at what we have to do right now. Our present challenges dominate our focus. Too often we rush along down the trail of life and fail to pause and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: … to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). It is good to take time to gaze upon God’s grace as we are told of it in the Bible. It is crucial that we take in a clear view of the love of Christ.

We get tempted to think we have to hurry along the trail of life and keep our eyes fixed on our next step. It is important and beneficial to often pause along life’s journey and look up. “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

It is okay to take a break and gaze at the glory of God’s Word, gaze at the beauty of God’s creation, gaze at the good work God is doing all around us. Lift up your eyes and see the beauty of the Lord.