Heavenly Minded...A Lot of Earthly Good

I've heard the cliche that people can be so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. There, of course, is some truth to that from the perspective that people can be so wrapped up in doctrine or the spiritual that they never let it inform their ethics and interactions with the world. But, C.S. Lewis stated that we must be aware that we never meet any mere mortals. Everyone we meet has an eternal destiny and each day, each decision, they take a step closer to one destiny or the other. We also influence people toward one destiny or the other. He basically says that if we were able to see now what a person's eternal state looks like, they would either be the most hideous creature imaginable or they would be a creature of such beauty as to be awe inspiring. All that to say, when we become truly "heavenly minded" we become the MOST earthly good.

By "heavenly minded" I mean to seek the kingdom of God first, to learn who He is and what His ultimate and eternal purpose is for us. Knowing that God is real, that there is a heaven and hell as eternal states and not just present ones gives us the perspective needed to be active in the world. Our Sunday school class from Edwards Road Baptist Church in Greenville just came over in mass and in a few hours knocked out multiple projects around our home. Projects that have been hanging over our heads for a while but we have been unable to get to. They did this out of love and it is a love they obviously get from Christ. We appreciate and love them so much. We miss them because we live 45 minutes from the church and usually can't make it there every Sunday. They are an example of how Christ has called His Church to serve and love each other. It is by that love, He said, that the world would know we are His disciples. 

Over and over the New Testament demonstrates that the cross of Christ and its eternal ramifications is the impetus for serving, loving and living today. For those who put their faith in Christ, their eternal destiny C.S. Lewis spoke of is settled and their daily life on earth has direction. We see that repeatedly demonstrated in our church family. We pray that we will not let opportunities slip by us to be "heavenly minded" with others so that we can be the most earthly good. I pray that we in Christ's Church will not let opportunities pass to influence others toward an awe inspiring eternal destiny in the presence of Christ.