Giving Life a Lift

​Life can be draining. Stress can weigh us down.
 
Spiritual, emotional, and physical energy levels run low from time to time, needing a boost.
 
Jesus knew that. The Lord understood living in a fallen, sinful world would drain the souls of men. Compassionate and sympathetic to our plight, He graciously provided the way for us to be redeemed and regularly renewed.
 
In John 12:32 Jesus foretold the type of death He would die. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself.” The audience He addressed knew being “lifted up from the earth” meant crucifixion. Jesus’ agonizingly painful, sacrificial death on the uplifted Cross reveals His great love for us.
 
In dying there is drawing. The Cross is a magnet for our souls. Love at Golgotha draws us to the very heart of God.
 
Obviously, salvation is the first priority of Jesus drawing all men to Himself. He died to save us. Jesus is the focus of this life-changing truth. Note the emphasis in the Lord’s words on Himself. He uses personal pronouns three times. He, being lifted up above the earth on a cruel wooden Cross, is the agent of salvation. His promise is clear: “I will draw all men unto Myself.”
 
Thank God His death was followed and vindicated by a glorious resurrection three days later! (Matthew 28)
 
In resurrection there is renewal. Resurrection provides renewal and restoration for weary believers. When life needs a lift, the uplifted, Resurrected One draws men to Himself, renewing them with His resurrection life and power. Resurrection power flowing through Jesus’ glorified body draws us to the renewing and restoring energy of the Holy Spirit.
 
When we feel drained, we need to draw near to Jesus. James 4:8a reads “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Through dying on the Cross, Jesus draws men to Himself. Through faith in Him, we draw near to God.
           
Life gets a lift when we look to Jesus who was lifted up.
 
Three Steps To Giving Life A Lift
1. Take your eyes off your problem. Spinning our wheels trying to solve our problems by ourselves drains energy. Turn negative energy into positive energy by looking to the PROBLEM SOLVER. His name is Jesus.
 
 Stop focusing on what ails you. Start focusing on the One who prevailed for you! Jesus Christ is the answer to every challenge you or I will ever face.
 
2. Lift your eyes to see Jesus. Believers look to Jesus and are saved. Hebrews 12:2a exhorts us to keep “Looking (fixing your eyes) unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Why? Because life drains us and we need our faith revved up on a regular basis.
           
The Lord is not finished with you and me. The Cross is indeed a done deal. But Christian maturity and perfection in Christ is an ongoing process. The redeeming and renewing power of Christ’s death on the Cross lasts eternally. By faith, we can draw upon Him daily to find relief and be renewed from life’s drain.
 
3. Lift up the name of Jesus. Looking for a surefire way to get out of the dumps and lift life to another level? LIFT UP JESUS! Lift Him up through personal praise. Lift Him up through sharing your faith with unbelievers. Lift Him up through serving others in His name.
 
Lift somebody else up and you will be uplifted. Focus your heart on the harvest of souls that is ripe for the taking. Lift up the uplifted Christ to people in your life….and He will draw them to Himself!
 
Jesus is our load lifter.
 
I do not know what load or loads you might be carrying today. They may be light or could be very heavy. You know what they are. You have tried to lift the load by yourself. The load is still pressing in on you and stressing you out. Take a moment right now. Look to Jesus. Surrender the load to Him. Let the load go into the hands of the One who was lifted up for you.
 
When life needs a lift, remember to look to Jesus who died for you and rose again that you might have abundant and eternal life. This glorious truth is a life lifter!
 
“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; for you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light.”                  Matthew 11:28-30
 
A Word For Your Week. Life’s load lifts when we lift up Jesus Christ.