I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:1-2)
Since the March madness NCAA basketball tournament is ready to begin this week, I am reminded of a funny story regarding this particular Psalm.
The University of Kentucky had a legendary coach named Adolph Rupp. He was a giant in college basketball. His long and distinguished coaching tenure at UK was a main reason that the state has such rabid basketball fans. Coach Rupp was particularly known for recruiting Kentucky kids to come play for him, as the passion for the sport produced many talented and gifted players.
One time, a reporter asked him about his recruiting philosophy. Coach Rupp, a religious man who was not adverse to quoting scripture, gave a nod to the local players in the state of Kentucky, in particular those poor kids from the eastern hill country not far from UK, by quoting Psalm 121.
"I lift my eyes to the hills," Coach Rupp said, "from where will my help come?"
Indeed, we all need help! Whether it is in recruiting and building a basketball team, getting through a difficult day at work, or seeking to be the best parent we can be. Someone much wiser than I once said that there are, really, only two prayers, "Help me!" and "Thank you!".
In all aspects of life, we are invited to "lift our eyes" to God. Not only in our moments of desperation and concern, but at all times. In thanksgiving. In thoughtfulness. In times of need.
We are invited to do so because, in all circumstances, our "help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Truly! The Lord provides strength to us in both the mundane and the major, in both the little and the large, in both the trivial and the tragic. This is the Lord's promise and what a promise it is!
Lift your eyes to the Lord. May your gaze toward God be the default for your life. For it is in doing so that the maker of heaven and earth comes near, loving you, guiding you, and helping you live fully and completely.
Lord of all, guide my eyes and ears and mouth and body toward your promise of grace. Amen.
The University of Kentucky had a legendary coach named Adolph Rupp. He was a giant in college basketball. His long and distinguished coaching tenure at UK was a main reason that the state has such rabid basketball fans. Coach Rupp was particularly known for recruiting Kentucky kids to come play for him, as the passion for the sport produced many talented and gifted players.
One time, a reporter asked him about his recruiting philosophy. Coach Rupp, a religious man who was not adverse to quoting scripture, gave a nod to the local players in the state of Kentucky, in particular those poor kids from the eastern hill country not far from UK, by quoting Psalm 121.
"I lift my eyes to the hills," Coach Rupp said, "from where will my help come?"
Indeed, we all need help! Whether it is in recruiting and building a basketball team, getting through a difficult day at work, or seeking to be the best parent we can be. Someone much wiser than I once said that there are, really, only two prayers, "Help me!" and "Thank you!".
In all aspects of life, we are invited to "lift our eyes" to God. Not only in our moments of desperation and concern, but at all times. In thanksgiving. In thoughtfulness. In times of need.
We are invited to do so because, in all circumstances, our "help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Truly! The Lord provides strength to us in both the mundane and the major, in both the little and the large, in both the trivial and the tragic. This is the Lord's promise and what a promise it is!
Lift your eyes to the Lord. May your gaze toward God be the default for your life. For it is in doing so that the maker of heaven and earth comes near, loving you, guiding you, and helping you live fully and completely.
Lord of all, guide my eyes and ears and mouth and body toward your promise of grace. Amen.
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