The Things Above
The summer drought all but wiped out the corn…
…but did you even notice the withered corn, or was your mind focused on the pretty sunset above it? If you were looking at the corn, you’re probably a farmer and can’t help yourself. If you were looking at the sunset above, good for you, because you just helped the point of this imperfect object lesson from Colossians 3:1-2, which says, “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth”.
To set your mind on the things of the world is like looking at the withered corn rather than the beautiful sky above. The things of this world can be fame, fortune, power, status, looks, etc., but in light of the glory of God, it pales in comparison. You would never actually be fixated on and allured by withering corn as opposed to a beautiful sunset, but that might actually work as a comparison of the ‘the things of this world’ to the things of God. 1 John 2:16 says, “All that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:16).
There’s a quote by CS Lewis I’ve always liked that sums it up well. Lewis says, “It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Time is of the essence, and most of us are far too far along in our journey with God to still be making mud pies in the slum. …or setting our gaze upon withered corn.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will” Romans 12:2.
