Dec. 22: Lifted by Carrie Mayo

John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Psalm 24:7 “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” ESV

When I was contemplating this devotion I pictured a non-biblical reference, one of my favorite musicians. Trombone Shorty. He has a new album that came out last year called “Lifted”. It is a tribute to his mother who was responsible for always lifting and supporting him as he pursued his dream. On the album cover is a very young Shorty in a parade, being lifted high in the air by his mother while he plays a toy trumpet. This image has resonated with me lately as I consider all of the ways that we are lifted. Lifted by family, by friends, by co-workers and by community. We in turn are then able to lift others, providing a testimony of the love of the Lord.

Truly, we are all called to lift our eyes upward and to lift our hearts to the Lord. The Lord strong and mighty, the King of glory, this is who comes in when we lift up our heads. Jesus tells us that when he is lifted from the earth we will all be drawn to him.

Unfortunately this difficult world makes it easy to cast our eyes down, to our phones, to our feet, in despair and disappointment. When we walk if we cast our eyes up we are able to see such beautiful things, and it draws the mind to our creator, who made this place for us.

Dear Holy Father, I pray that in this advent season the beauty and love of your mighty power will lift our eyes upward that we, your children, may in turn lift those around us.
Amen

—Carrie Mayo