When we moved to our new home a few years ago, I found the ideal place to enjoy my breakfast. A plate of scrambled eggs and a good book in hand, I'd settle down in our spacious dining area next to a large glass-paned window. On the right of me I would behold the beauty of our backyard, and on the left, I'd thrill to mountain-views and serenity. Ah ... the good life!

Last year, when the foliage on our side had to be hewn down so our neighbour could fix his fence, I couldn't bear to sit in my usual place for breakfast. I moved to where I could see what remained of the foliage but without also seeing that ugly patch of bare fence.

A few weeks ago, as I sat down to have my breakfast, I heard God's quiet whisper in my heart.

'Come up higher, dear Daughter. Come up higher.'

I slid over to the seat next to the window, my heart fluttering in anticipation.

I looked. I saw. And He conquered! Like finding an oasis in the midst of a bare barren desert, I discovered to my joy that the pruned bushes had burst forth into greenness of life. I had my perfect view back, just the way I liked it. In fact, it looked even better than before! Wow!

Every now and then God whispers to us, His children; 

'Come up higher dear son. Come up higher dear daughter.' 

Have you heard Him? It may sometimes be through our worldly successes that He shows us His favour, but every now and then it's a different kind of invitation. Years ago, I was wooed by my Saviour to come up higher but what called me then was not an achievement. Battling the debilitating pain and fatigue of chronic illness, I had no choice but to slow down my life. 

His gifts to me that season? 

The precious gift of Intimacy with Jesus. 

A fresh Understanding of what Truly Matters. 

So out of what the enemy planned and God permitted, I received riches beyond compare. And in this current season, I hear His voice again. He asks me to learn to trust Him. The truth is ... I would rather have my circumstances line up according to my wants rather than to walk in darkness.  But if I learn to trust Him in the darkness, I will grow. I will grow in character and in maturity. It will be yet another precious gift from a loving Father's Hands, bestowed on me only as I am willing to go up higher with Jesus and to trust Him with my all. 

The world's value systems often run contrary to God's own. You may not have got the promotion you were seeking, but in its place, you received our Father's Well done! You may have not achieved top marks for your exam, but you had the joy of helping a friend do well at the same exam. You might not have received a tangible reward for your integrity, but you had the joy of making God smile.

Some of life's circumstances may feel like a demotion, but we in Christ know different. What you perceive as loss of God's favour may in reality be the waters of His abundant love splashing into your soul. You may not have received what you asked for or hoped for. But you may have been sent an invitation to come up higher. You might not understand all that your Father is doing in your life right now, but you can be sure that He who promised us is faithful. 

What He has allowed could well be an invitation for you to access and find eternal treasures. Scripture promises that we are already seated with Him in the heavenly places. May we rejoice in our standing in Him. May we understand where we are seated with Him. 

"Come up higher dear daughter. Come up higher my son."

Could that be what our Father could be whispering into your heart today?

Do you hear it? Will you come?

If so, what would that look like in your life today?

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 6:6

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." Proverbs 4:19