"Higher Ground!"

I haven’t heard the local meteorologist say much about the drought monitor lately. Last season, our area was locked into some serious drought conditions, but 2026 is quite different for us. The intersection of highs and lows, along with the jet stream, is pushing an abundance of thunderstorms and higher rain totals our way! We are on the plus side (five inches so far in June!) for rain totals here in central Illinois.

A Rainy Day Retreat! 
We have a neighborhood pond about a half-block away from our house. Over the years, I have seen a few mallard ducks crossing our property with a half dozen ducklings imprinting behind the mother hen. It is nature, at its best, to see the next generation in motion! The frequency of these visits seems to have increased with each flood watch report this spring! It has me thinking that even the ducks are seeking higher ground!

There is a good bit of relational advice in the saying, “Take the high ground!” I’ve heard something similar, “If someone goes lower, you go higher!” This implies that a polite, considerate, and respectful response will lower the temperature of a discussion when someone is angry, bullying, and aggressive. This is not to suggest that a person backs down from their ideas, but it is a preferred approach of strength from a Christ-centered person who leads with a spirit that "we can agree to disagree” when there seems to be an impasse.

Our pastors have been preaching a series of messages from the book of Colossians on the theme: “A Life That Matters.” In chapter three of this short letter to the believers, Paul addresses some spiritual elitists who had infiltrated the church fellowship. They prided themselves on having secret wisdom and hidden insights in the Scripture that would release them from earthly constraints and put them “in the know” concerning heavenly things! They thought they were the only ones who had achieved spiritual fullness and perfection.

Paul boldly addressed these false teachers with divine truth. He reminded the believers of their identity in Christ and the power of the resurrection. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV).

I don’t think it’s accidental that Paul makes a reference to “hiddenness” in this passage! While these “know it all’s” claimed special knowledge in their hidden books of worldly wisdom and esoteric understanding by the “initiated” few, Paul knew that the hidden secret of life in Christ belonged to every true believer!

Paul’s conclusion to the matter was pointed, “So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that puffed-up and childish religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it?” (Colossians 2:20, The Message). Simply stated, through death with Christ these believers had found the secret of resurrection power and victory!

Johnson Oatman, Jr., (1856-1922) was one of the great heroes of the faith. This ordained Methodist preacher and prolific hymnist wrote the lyrics to more than five thousand gospel songs. Several of these beloved hymns made it into the Baptist hymnal of my youth and formative years: “He Included Me; Count Your Blessings; No, Not One; and Higher Ground!”

“Higher Ground” was first published in 1898. Oatman’s lyrics and Charles Gabriel’s music have been used by the Lord to challenge countless believers to seek a deeper spiritual life with these stirring phrases:

“I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, ‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’ My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim is higher ground. Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith, on heaven’s tableland; a higher plane than I have found; Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”

It’s not a retreat from life’s challenges to seek higher ground. Rather, it’s full engagement in Christ’s resurrection power! Let’s declare with Paul, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!” (Philippines 3:14).

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2026 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

 

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