In fourth grade I had to do a large project on the State of New York. It had to encompass everything from tourism, agriculture and industry, to all the history and facts and figures. Needless to say, were it not for the patience of my mother, this creative masterpiece would have never been finished. In those days there were no computers, so everything was written by my hand, and we made liberal use of cutting out photos from travel magazines and state guides. For whatever reason, I was thinking about it the other day and one of the things that always struck me was the state motto: Excelsior. It’s a simple motto and can be found on the state flag as well. Since I did that project though, it has become a part of me — like it has become a personal vision statement.
Excelsior. It’s a word derived from the Latin and is translated as higher but also as onward and upward. Longfellow was inspired to write a poem when he saw the state seal of NY with the motto on a scrap of newspaper. He explained the title from the Latin, Scopus meus excelsior est — my goal is higher.
One of my favorite Jason Upton songs starts with these lyrics:I’m not looking over
I’m not looking under
I’m looking upward and I’m moving onward
To a place where they cry holy
And the greatest man bows lowly…
My friend Eric put it like this: “You’re taking time and you’re not over looking any details. And you’re not looking under things to try find something wrong. Instead you’re keeping your eyes toward heaven where the seraphim sing Holy and the elders bow down. Or the short version: Don’t worry about what’s going around you. Focus on what really matters. The even shorter version: Rest.”
I think about it a lot as I do life. Where am I looking? Am I distracted by trying to see over the fence or under the wall? Am I searching for something but looking in the wrong places? Instead, am I looking upward? Up toward Christ, to the place of eternal light and hope; the place beyond anything conceivable by this finite human mind. Am I stuck in the same place — the rut of familiar, comfortable routines — or am I pushing forward…onward? Like a pioneer blazing trails into the unknown, am I stepping out in faith; directed by the destiny that the Lord has placed in my heart; resting in and trusting Him to guide my steps?
So I put an arrow on the wall of my office last night. It is there to remind me that my focus is Christ. Excelsior. Onward and upward. My goal is higher.
Basis for a new WNBX logo?