5. Set Your Mind to Think Straight
Slide 5 of 5
Enticed by passing experts, flamboyant opinions, or new voices, our gaze drops to earth over and over. We find it hard to take our eyes off shiny things marketed by media or other men.
Most offer assurances of their significance, promising to be more than man-made mist. Temptation whispers that to look away and compare issues to God’s word is to risk missing out or being left out. Earthly things and people promise to be the answer we’ve been waiting for.
It’s okay to stop fixating on fixing things of earth. God says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” (Colossians 3:2). This doesn’t mean we abdicate our role to actively benefit things of this world with earthly good.
However, to “set” our minds is to get understanding by directing our affections in a specific direction.
We love things, make things, get things, and pursue things. While things aren’t offensive in themselves, God draws our attention to the priority of thinking in His ways to live in His ways as His people for His glory.
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer,” (2 Timothy 2:4).
With life now in the bigger picture of life forever, we’re free to let go of pre-occupation with “here.” We know God actively shepherds life’s circumstances, good and bad, for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Although it is an expression of God’s love to fight for justice and mercy in the world, a heaven-focused mindset keeps these things in perspective.
Because of God’s nature and His authority over all things here and there, earth and heaven, we can trust Him. He’s fully aware of events playing out globally, nationally, locally, and personally. What a relief!
We can keep a heavenly perspective about earthly things by directing our minds to God’s truth. God’s got this.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Mike Powell