Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2 (TPT)
Realities of Heaven – Thinking High Series – Part 1
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
It’s been an interesting few weeks here in Australia. Many things have happened over the past few weeks that have made my heart and head angry and ashamed. There are so many horrific stories being told in the news. While some of the good stories are being told negatively, as if we have to cut down every good thing that happens to others with cynicism, suspicion and deep seeded prejudice.
At the Logies this year (An Australian TV award ceremony), Noni Hazlehurst (Aussies will be proud!) was inducted into the Australian TV Hall of Fame, and during her acceptance speech (which I thought was brave and brilliant) she said (amongst other powerful comments), “ I’d love a channel that features nothing but stories that inspire us and reassure us and our children that there are good things happening and good people in the world. I know it’s a lot to ask for. But at the very least a show that tries to redress this overwhelming imbalance, that counters bad news with good, that encourages optimism not pessimism, that restores our empathy and love for our fellow human beings and the earth, that redefines reality, that heals our hearts.”
She wasn’t suggesting that we ignore the bad and the horrific and the pain and the turmoil and the evil in the world that needs not only our attention but also our action. She was only saying that while the bad stuff is going on, we are also surrounded by tremendous good. And if we talk more about it, shine a light on it more, celebrate our inherent GOODNESS, that it might help heal some of the sickness ingrained in the world, and transform those who are captives of evil into souls of light.
Given the many things happening in the global community, on a local level in my own town, and then on a personal level in my own life, (and considering my somewhat melancholic bent) sometimes I’m overwhelmed and heartbreakingly disappointed at how horrible and unfair and unjust life can be. What makes this sadness even more tragic, is that I believe a lot of the pain and suffering of some could have easily been avoided if others laid aside their greed and hunger for power and dominion.
And yet, like Noni said, there is STILL joy in the world. There is still beauty and wonder. Fragments (if not whole portions) of peace and contentment. Redemption, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, generosity… all these beautiful and transformative things are alive and active in the world, too.
How do we sit with joy and pain? How do we deal with the heavy and the light? How do I mourn with one neighbor and dance in joy with the other? How do I hold my outrage at injustice and my thankfulness for beauty, at the same time?
Paul wrote to his friends in Colossae and said, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (Col 3:1-2).
Like Noni, Paul (yes, I did just use Noni Hazlehurst and the Apostle Paul in the same sentence… mission accomplished *wink*) is not urging us to turn a blind eye to the pain that surrounds us. He’s not even asking us to ignore evil and pretend that all is well. I think he’s sharing with us an idea, a truth, of how to BE in the world and not get pulled under by it. How to witness evil and not get consumed by it. How to acknowledge pain and injustice and not get overwhelmed by it. It’s not thinking high as in “Out of this world, out of touch, and out of sight” high. But rather thinking on a “higher level.” Not of self, not of dominion and control, but of love and generosity – The “High call of heaven.”
The “realities of heaven” do not ignore pain and injustice and heartache and rebellion. Christ, rather, draws it all in close and breathes new life into it.
Your turn! What beauty do you see in the world? Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Go to Part 2 – Your Mind »
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