Above or Below?

Let’s be honest, heaven is something we all like in theory, but rarely spend much time thinking about… until we lose someone very close to us. As Christ-followers, we sing and read some verses about heaven, but it remains like a fairy tale until we have someone we dearly love there, waiting for us.I think my husband has a much greater awareness of heaven because his brother was killed when he was young. My friends who have lost a spouse or a child have a different intensity about heaven from those of us who haven’t had to journey through gut-level grieving. I’ve noticed that an insatiable appetite to learn about heaven is often birthed in those who grieve. They want to know more about this place that Jesus said He went ahead to prepare for us. When Chris taught a series on heaven a couple of years ago, I became acutely aware that I really had so much more to learn.As I recently read the familiar and famous verses in Colossians 3:1-2, I was contemplating how heaven is under-appreciated for many of us. Paul wrote:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

As followers of Christ, we’re to seek and set our minds on things above. Sound like your moment-by-moment thought life? Ask yourself this question:

What is my mind occupied with?

If you saw the picture at the top of this post, you already saw my answer. (Sigh.) As I was in my priority time, I asked myself that question and hated my response.So, what do we do? Should we just all throw in the towel and complain that God doesn’t understand how hard it is down here? Of course not! The reality is that if we can discipline ourselves to move our eyes off what this fallen world offers, we’ll find our hopes will no longer be dashed by each tragedy, heartbreak, political vote, or disaster.[bctt tweet="What is one eternal thing you’re passionate about?"]If our moods swing based on our bank statement or the headlines, we’re in for a long and discouraging ride. Instead, God gives us the remedy. Raise your head. Care about the eternal. Spend your energy on what matters. If you’re a follower of Christ, you likely have some of those interests and eternal desires in your heart. Unfortunately, they get smashed down or suffocated by our daily commitments.What is one eternal thing you’re passionate about?•  Is there a person you know who needs Christ?•  Is there a people group you have a heart for?Don’t fall into the trap of casual Christianity. Decide on one worldly thing you can stop doing and replace it with something of eternal significance. You never know what one change might do for someone else… and for you.I’d love to know how you intentionally put your mind on things above… leave me a comment.[bctt tweet="Don’t fall into the trap of casual Christianity."]

(Want to learn more about heaven? Check out this sermon series and Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven.)