“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
I decided to take advantage of the cool weather and do some yard work. This included building a “courtyard” for my chickens. I built it adjoining the coop. This way, they would be contained in this area. They would not roam around the neighborhood. It’s large, with plenty of water, food and perches. A cozy area for the flock. The only thing I have left is to cover the top to keep them inside and protected from the weather. The first morning I expected they would hop over the wall and go about their usual business. Yet, they did not. For two days they remained in the paddock, and it was obvious they were confused. They would walk around the perimeter searching for a hole or breach. Around they circled the pen together, each thoroughly inspecting.
The next day I went out to do give them scraps. Leaning over the wall, I dropped in vegetable peels. I stood for a moment and watched them. As I did so, I noticed our barred rock hen, Zee studying me. While the others were busy eating, she was fixated on the area of the wall where I had stood. I began walking back to the house and looked back over my shoulder to see her standing on the wall. I returned to shoo her back. She dropped back in the courtyard. A moment later, she sprung to the wall top. Then she dropped down in the yard and happily began scratching. Zee had found the path to freedom by looking up and past the obstacle.
The others seeing her through the fence came closer to investigate. Eager to join their coop mate, they began inspecting the fence for a breach or a hole. Finding neither they gathered and watched her scratch about. After a few minutes, they began another pilgrimage around the wall.
As I watched it unfold, it came to my mind how we aren’t so different from these chickens. We allow ourselves to be restrained. Often, we feel trapped. Trapped by circumstances, by money constraints, bad relationships, hostile work environments, fear of the future and the lists goes on. We spend our time searching for an answer usually from other people. We go around and around trying to find a way out. I know this because I am guilty of it myself. I find myself talking to friends, coworkers and yes sometimes strangers. I’ve been known to consult the internet! Like those chickens I just keep going in circles. Yet, the whole time, all I needed to do was to look up.
In 2 Chronicles 20:12, King Jehoshaphat uttered in prayer. He said, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” The king and the people were faced with overwhelming circumstances. Ammon and Moab were descending on Judea. The King decreed that all of Judea was to fast and pray.  Through this act, the people of Judea humbled themselves and acknowledged that their understanding and resources fall short. Still, when we fix our gaze upon God, He can offer wisdom, guidance, and deliverance.
There are many times in life when you feel overwhelmed by circumstances. Often, you feel that you are trapped. It seems like the walls are closing in on you. That is often because we forget to look up and keep our eyes on God. How do you get your focus off the walls? With a relationship with Jesus. How do we keep that relationship? With prayer and Bible study.
Making time for prayer and Bible study is not always that easy. Our lives are busy and full of distraction. I suggest taking time to make it a habit. I made a decision for myself. I chose to stop a habit. I wanted to start a new one. I have a habit of scrolling through my phone while I lay in bed at night. I decided that instead of scrolling my phone, I would take time to read the Bible instead.
Take time to examine your life and how you spend your time. Is there a habit that can be eliminated and replaced with time in the Word?
Like any relationship, a relationship with Jesus takes time and commitment. If you want the most out of a relationship, then you have to put in time and commitment.
Back to the chickens. The first chicken looked up to get out and afterward, a couple of the others caught on. They went over the wall too. People are watching what you do and say, especially if you are confessing Christ as your savior. If other see you refocusing on Jesus and not the obstacles in your life, they do the same. Lead by example. Lead by following.
Keep looking up!
Mustard Seeds, Modern Parables 