Heidi Viars

The cold wind was whipping through the thinning canopy above me and was trying to penetrate through my layers of clothing. Clouds were chasing across the sky as if in an evil race to cover the warming rays of the sun. The path grew dimmer and colder with each step. Dead leaves were falling all around me.  I pulled my hat down into my face and zipped the coat tighter.

My head was bent low, shoulders shrugged up, and eyes on my feet. My heart was heavy. Soul-burdens threatened to keep my eyes and mind here, in that place of cold perspective.

I stared to pray.

Lift my heavy heart

Upward, God, upward

To Your throne of grace.

~

Teach my mind to rise

Upward, God, upward

Above my limited, earthly perspective.

~

Point me toward my inheritance in Christ

Upward, God, upward

To where He is seated.

~

Help my spirit soar

Upward, God, upward

To where my claim of Hope resides.

~

Draw my soul into Your awe-filled presence

Until I know and rise above these doubts –

Upward, God, upward.

~

“Abba, Father, My Maker, my Friend,
You hold the universe in Your capable hands.
My weak and often doubt-filled heart
is in constant need of Your Spirit to guide me upward.
Lift my spirit and mind.
Fill me with the Hope of Heaven and
  a peace that passes all understanding.
I love You.”

~

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places, 
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace,
with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6 ~ ESV

(Click here for more spiritual blessings in Christ and the first chapter of Ephesians)