Have you thought about heaven lately? Paul was emphatic in Colossians 3:2, as he wrote: “Set your mind on things that are above, not things that are upon the earth.” The verb “set” (phroneite from phroneois an  imperative that means to seek or strive for, to be intent on—cf. J.H. Thayer’s, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 658). Have You been that dedicated—concerned—having “seeking  and striving” thoughts about heaven?

Is Paul’s charge to so do justified? Ah! Since we are earthborn, it is so easy to be earthbound! Compare for a moment about our minds being on earthly and heavenly concepts. Which is better or greater—things temporal or eternal? Mortal or immortal/ Aging or ageless? Pain ridden or pain free? Corrupt or incorruptible? Sinful or sinless? Disappointments or divine delights? Earthly burdens or everlasting blessings? Promiscuous in pollution or pure in paradise? Tears and trials or no tears in triumph? Persistent problems or perpetual peace and praise? Which would be better for our minds and our living today?

Look over the foregoing, and Paul’s charge to set our minds on things above can be both common sense and encouraging. Someone has said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” Note I Corinthians 3:21-23.

The facts are that the happiest Christians are those who focus upon heaven. The Psalmist stated: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy. In Thy right hand there are pleasures on things above “where Christ is.” All the heavenly blessings are enhanced because we get to enjoy them in the presence of God and Christ!

Thinking in that direction and determining that is to be your destiny could leave you in the frame of mind of a man mentioned by Steven J. Lawson. He wrote: “I heard about a man named Mr. Peas who died, and on his tombstone they wrote:

‘This ain’t Peas; it’s his pod.

 Peas shelled out and went to God!”¹

Paul would surely say, “That’s the way to think, and the trip to take for eternity!

¹Steven J. Lawson, Heaven Help Us, NavPress, Colorado Springs, Colorado,  1995 P. 187