Attitudes and Altitudes
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
The Lord has allowed me to fly many times to special meetings in churches and special trips around America and even in other parts of the world. I have been in some of the smallest planes and some of the largest jets! Flying is an incredible way to travel quickly to the next location. Years ago, I had the opportunity to sit beside an airline pilot. He was a passenger, so as we traveled we spoke, and I learned many interesting things about aircraft and flying.
When flying airplanes, it is important to have the “pitch” of the airplane pointed up. If the nose of the airplane is not pointed up, it will not fly! The outlook of the planes nose determines it’s altitude! Our lives ought be pointed up as well! Our attitudes should be looking up! Our attitude determines our altitude. Your outlook will determine how you live your life. If you have a defeated attitude, you will live a defeated life. If you have a bad attitude, you will not lead a joyous life! Micah has been showed by God how he was to live his life. “What is good,” and what the “Lord requires” of us is explained. Living a just life, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God are characteristics of the Christian life.
If I have the wrong attitude towards justice – (For example: if I do not really believe people reap what they sow), then my life will reflect that attitude. If I think “I do not deserve this!” Then I may have the wrong attitude about living justly, because I certainly do not deserve anything good!
What about our attitudes concerning mercy? “He deserves what he got!” Someone might say. “I am glad that this tragedy happened to her.” What terrible things to say! These things reveal a wrong attitude about the mercy of God! We are to be a forgiving people because we have a forgiving God! He has not given us what we deserve and we should rejoice in this!
When it comes to walking with God, we may look at someone else, and say “They certainly have a long way to come.” This would be a critical statement, and a judgmental one. We all have a ways to go in our walk with the Lord! No one has arrived, that is for sure! Are you humble towards God and towards others in your thoughts, words, and actions today?
Perhaps the words and tune of “I’m Pressing On the Upward Way” by Johnson Oatman, Jr.will help set your trajectory today:
1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4. I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
“What is your attitude like? Your attitude will determine your altitude. How high will you fly? Where is the airplane of your life headed?
EDC Christian 