Higher Ground
We don’t sing it as much anymore, but it’s a great song. Written in 1898, it’s an oldie, but a goodie. You likely will know it by the first few words: “I’m pressing on the upward way…”
And with those first words comes a melody and lyrics that have deep meaning for all of us as disciples:
“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
The song is a powerful reminder that all of us in Christ are on a journey—the upward way. And that with each day of our lives, God expects us to walk on the upward road that leads to life. That road is not only narrow, but it is also on an incline. It’s an incline that is both gentle enough to be attainable, and yet steep enough to notice.
Going forward, you feel the burn in your legs and notice, with each step, your spiritual muscles getting stronger. Occasionally you look backward and see how far you’ve come over the years. The Lord has led you through some challenges and obstacles, and yet with Him faithfully at your side, you have gained new heights every day.
Not only does the view change, but you change as well. As you have pressed on the upward way, you have grown stronger, wiser, and closer to God. Your heart is stronger, too. The Holy Spirit has worked many changes within you and you are more loving, forgiving, patient, kind, humble, selfless, and even-tempered than when you began.
Your desires change along the way. Your appetite for sin shrinks. You hunger and thirst for righteousness instead. And the powerful enticement of the wide, well-paved, well-traveled path grows less and less seductive.
It’s not that you don’t trip up and stumble along the narrow way. You do. The enemy has countless ways to trip you up, and occasionally you’ll fall. But you also don’t walk alone. In addition to walking with Jesus, you have a family of fellow travelers to encourage you to keep going. Though you may fall down, you don’t stay down. You get up, you are helped up, you look up, you repent, and you keep moving forward on the upward path. And as you go along, you find yourself stumbling less. You are growing spiritually stronger, wiser, and looking more like your Lord every day.
“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, lead me on to higher ground.”
Let us ascend with courage. The journey is not yet done. You have miles to go before you sleep. But the promise of the land where you are headed makes whatever lies ahead pale in comparison. You will continue to grow, the path will continue to change, but the destination is assured to all who keep their eyes and their hearts on the destination!