Traveling by car is what you do when you have four children and a slim budget. There has been many a trip with the kids, their bags, backpacks full of distracting options, and a cooler of snacks to get us down the road. Flying was faster, but not economical. Therefore, as a family, we have seen the main roads, the back roads, and those in between. We traveled via car before video entertainment systems came preinstalled. You could purchase a small television with a built-in VCR to strap into your car, but that did not join us on our trip for many years. We had books to read, books to color, games to play inside the car, new music for each journey (we all can still sing songs from the Veggie Tales CD) and games to play that engaged what was outside the car (success finding all 50 license plates is doable). We packed sandwiches and chips, and then occasionally splurged on gas station treats that only appeared on road trips; like peach rings–I can still smell them now. Oh the miles we covered this way!
One thing I love to read is state line signs. These announce your entrance to the state you are visiting or driving through. I wish I had my wits about me; I would have stopped at every last one to take a picture with my kids. I could have documented the miles, the journeys, the growth and the memories. I did not do this. But, I still like to read I recently passed by Utah’s state line sign with their slogan. “Life elevated!” Curious, I read a bit about the installation of this particular catchphrase. Adopted in 2006, the campaign replaced the “Greatest snow on earth” slogan and ski picture license plates. The new plates display the arch. They desired for this to encompass more about attitude over altitude. This got me to thinking about slogans in our lives we might like to adopt. What might some of these be? One could consider borrowing from Nike and “Just do it!” Others, McDonald’s “I’m loving it.” Of course, many wish to enjoy “The happiest place on earth.” Disney of course. Lastly, Visa entices with, “It’s everywhere you want to be.” But, would you consider using “Life Elevated!”
Contemplating this, it could seem contrary to scripture. “Humble yourselves before Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) Being elevated does not sound very humble at first. But, maybe it is exactly the life we are called to live. Elevate means to rise up to high position or place. What if the higher position is about perspective instead of rank? Perspective offers a different view. When we position ourselves above the normal, daily routine, we see things differently. Rather than the piles of laundry and a sink full of dishes, we can see how we are serving and meeting the needs of our family. Instead of the phone call interrupting our few moments of peace and quiet, we see how God made us available at that moment to encourage our friend in their time of need. Position can affect our perspective.
Maybe if we take the words of Paul more seriously, we could elevate our perspective on a regular basis. In chapter 4 of Philippians, he states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever it true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…think about such things.” It could be necessary to think of these things to change our perspective and “elevate” our lives. These types of thoughts change our view, our mood, our desires, and our hope. Through these, life, love, dreams, and our future shifts. In the same way, the most subtle untruths can slowly get us off course, or change our trajectory. We have to be aware.
In 2 Corinthians chapter 10, Paul encourages us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. I believe our thoughts direct our hearts and actions. Whether a negative thought or a positive thought, if we take each captive, we will be much more aware. Making them obedient to Christ can safeguard our hearts, our actions and our trajectory. More true, more right, more lovely, and more admirable builds up or elevates. Perspective becomes everything.
Might be a funny slogan, but “Life Elevated” might be just the one I need right now. Maybe you could use it for a bit, too.
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