Look Up and Live

He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished (1 Nephi 17:41).

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon, because it speaks to one of my greatest weaknesses. Being a fairly independent and resourceful person, it has always been a little too easy for me to get up a full head of steam and set out on my own to solve the world's (and my) problems. Then, as I become embroiled in whatever difficulty arises, my efforts tend to become more strident and less effective until I finally remember (usually after an unhealthy dose of stress and strain) that I am not in this alone.

Why would any sane person forget to do the very thing that makes life, in all its shades of darkness and light, remain joyful? The ability to call upon the Lord, making Him a partner in all things, is a blessing beyond description. Why, then, am I (as Come Thou Fount gently reminds) so prone to wander off on my own when I could be navigating my way through every difficult detour on life's journey with an omnipotent and omniscient Being guiding the way? Yet, though life has taught me again and again that outcomes are much better when I remember in Whom I have trusted, I still fail to remember, at times, in Whom I have trusted. (Can you say "slow learner?...lack of humility?...big dope?!)

I should clarify that my problem in these moments is not forgetting to pray. Rather, it's taking the process of prayer for granted...forgetting how much I need assistance in every phase of my life. Time and again, pride obstructs my awareness that all of my machinations are like chaff in the wind compared to the simple act of looking up. But as the scripture says, because of the "simpleness of the way or the ease of it," I sometimes miss the mark, like the Israelites. Beset by poisonous serpents, all they had to do to be saved was look up at the brazen serpent, but it was too easy...too simple...and many perished.

Fortunately for me, I do manage to find my knees and raise my eyes to the heavens in earnest before I perish, but I often wonder why I (simply) don't begin my process of dealing with even life's less dramatic situations from that vantage point. I tend to start petitioning the Lord mightily just about the time that the snowball I dismissed as a trifle and left out of my prayers entirely is two-thirds of the way down the hill, gaining speed, and about to land on my head or the head of someone I love. I think I confuse being independent in action to being independent in spirit. And let's face it, my spirit is dependent upon the Lord...in all things, great and small.

Life feels a bit challenging to me right now––not in big, dramatic, crisis-oriented ways (I've been there, too!)––but in an abundance of painful, mid-level struggles for people I love. Today I find myself thinking of the brazen serpent and wanting to remind myself and those loved ones that comfort, relief, and even resolution are always available. All we need to do is look up, and while the way is simple, the etymology and symbolism are deep and far-reaching.

Just as Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in similitude of Christ being lifted up on the cross, so the power of His atonement will lift every one of us. No matter the tribulation, no matter the situation, no matter the worry or sorrow or pain, we can look up and live. That is the promise. And the Lord keeps His promises.

...these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God. Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. But few understood the meaning of those things... (Alma 33:18-20).

If I would be numbered "among the believers," my task is to make sure my life and actions fall in line with the many...and not the few.

That's my plan. And His plan.

I'm in.