July 3

Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon! Descend from the peak of Amana, from the summits of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards. — Song 4:8 BSB

Yes, our perplexities would become clear if we kept our spiritual elevation. How often, when a traveler loses their way, they can find it again by climbing a tree or a hilltop, where all the winding paths lie behind them, and the homeward road opens ahead. In the same way, from the heights of prayer and faith, we too can see the plain path and know we are heading home.

There is no other way to gain victory over the world—we must rise above it. We must see it in light of our great reward. Then, like looking at earthly things after gazing at the sun for a while, we become blind to them. When the Italian fruit-seller discovers he is the heir to a ducal palace, you can no longer tempt him with the petty profits of his trade or the company of his old associates. He is above it all. Those who know the hope of their calling and the riches of their inheritance can easily despise the world. It’s the poor, starving ones who hunger for the husks of this earth. We are born from above and long to go home. Let us go forth today with our hearts set on the homestretch.