I believe that it is safe to say that the most famous ceiling in the whole world is the Sistine Chapel which is in the Vatican in Rome. This ceiling is famous because it was brilliantly designed and masterfully painted by Michelangelo. Among other things, he painted scenes depicting Bible history as recorded in the book of Genesis as well as seven Old Testament prophets. Countless numbers of people file into this room each year to get a glimpse of these frescos.
There is a common misconception that Michelangelo did the painting for this job while lying on his back. This error was even perpetuated in a 1965 movie starring Charlton Heston. The truth is, he did not lie on his back. Over the course of about four years (1508-1512), Michelangelo stood, arching his back and craning his neck, looking up at the ceiling.
As a matter of fact, Michelangelo spent so much time looking up that it became difficult for him to look down! He had trained his muscles to conform to a certain new form and pattern. He and his friends even reported that for a time he had to read letters, books, etc. by holding them up over his head because it was uncomfortable to look down and read in the normal way. He trained his body to “look up.”
Similarly, God desires for you and me to train ourselves to “look up.” No, not physically like Michelangelo where we have to go around with our newspapers held up over our heads. God desires for us to train our hearts and minds to be looking up. He wants us to train our hearts and minds to the point that it becomes difficult and uncomfortable to look down and get caught up in worldliness and sin.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Let us be about the business of training ourselves to look up. The reward for our effort is infinitely greater than being known as a great artist who painting a ceiling. The reward is eternity with our Father in heaven.
Look up!
