“Look where you want to go.

Don’t look where you don’t want to go.”

As I watched a documentary a few years ago, these words from a motocross biker grabbed my attention. He explained how his “look and go” principle helped him maintain speed and safety in steep terrain.

If he looked in a direction, other than his intended destination, he could lose control of the bike — or worse, go off a cliff.

I can appreciate his challenge and his focus. When I’ve missed desired goals, I wonder if I’ve looked where I didn’t want to go.

Did I look at past mistakes instead of focusing on future potential?

Have I look at someone else’s success instead of looking at my unique skill set?

Did I look at what I wanted instead of submitting to what God required?

At some point, I’ve done all those things. But at this point, I’m learning to FLY: Fear not. Lean hard. Yield completely. I hope you are too.

When your life picks up the pace or becomes more challenging, where do you look or lean?

My leaning can range from what’s stabilizing (like prayer) to what’s appetizing (like my favorite chocolate and almond candy bar).

I think the motocross biker is on to something.

As we lean towards where we look, we also learn from where we lean. 

I admit the only thing the candy bar taught me was  — well, I can’t think of anything. It’s a candy bar.

However, when I turn to the stability of prayer, I learn a lot in God’s presence. Here’s a sample from Psalm 103:2-5 NLT:

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! “

I cherish this lesson. When we look at the good things God does for us, we can’t help but lean hard on Him. It keeps us from going off any of life’s cliffs and it renews hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

Click here for more information on this series and the “It’s Time to FLY” gallery.