A Mind on Things Above

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. —Colossians 3:2

Life in Heaven
²⁵ "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?.... ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! -Ezekiel 18:25, 32

This morning I'm feeling the sadness a bit for the Salerno family... yet another life has ended and we cry out, "Why? She was so young. She was too young." But she was in pain; she was not herself for a long time.

So what my father told me at my taunt's funeral seems relevant: "Katie, when we cry at funerals, our sadness is somewhat of a selfish sadness.... because we know that the person is better off. Taunt is rejoicing today, happy and healthy... in heaven with Jesus. But we're sad, because she's no longer here with us. We need to remember that we're not sad for her... but we're so happy because she's in the best place ever."

Indeed, Taunt is living with the Lord, the most wonderful place ever, as is Tricia and Amanda and so many other wonderful people. They're really living... we're just preparing for that day. Still it's hard, and still it's sad, and this isn't going to make it feel any better but somehow it helps to remember that our Lord is just and loving and He promises us Life.

Friendship with Heaven
⁴You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? ⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble." -James 4:4-6

What does it mean to have friendship with the world? It seems to me that James is talking about consumerism, materialism, greed, ambition, etc... especially when followed the by scripture references. The world is full of temptations... telling us that this or that is more important, distractions to take us away from the Heaven goal. Lord, teach me to follow Your ways and stay away from the temptations of this world. You're the one I care about.