I was reading in Mark 21 this morning, the passage located in the midst of the "signs of the end of the age" chunk. One thing caught my attention...v. 28 ends with the statement, "stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Jesus has been speaking about the darn scary things that will likely take place during the second coming, and encourages the believers to not be fearful, but to take heart (find JOY!) as the events take place. I love the image...at times in my life, I've found myself praying with my face lifted up. Something about feeling the face of God in the midst of offered prayers, it almost seems like He's smiling. That is something that makes me want to lift up my head, and be embraced as the source of redemption draws near. Try it sometime...it's kinda powerful.

May you find yourself standing before Him, head lifted, and rejoicing in the drawing near of redemption today.