The temporary Sunday school teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet.  She had been told the combination, but couldn't quite remember it.  Finally she went to the preacher's study and asked for help.

The preacher came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment.  Finally he look serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the final number, and opened the lock.

The teacher was amazed. "I'm in awe at your faith, preacher," she said.

"It's really nothing," he answered. "The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling."

What a great definition of the concept of faith!  The essence of faith truly is to look heavenward.  It is to look toward heaven for our guidance, our motivation, and our very reason for existence.

We are surrounded by the things of this world, and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that what we can see all around us is what is "real."  Faith is the ability to set our eyes on that which is above, the true reality.

"By faith [Abraham] dwelt in the land
of promise as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob ....
for he waited for the city which has
foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Heb. 11:9-10)

May you live by faith this day,
and don't forget to look up!