No Magical Thinking in Heaven

"Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3 (NLT © 2007)

There are so many things to focus on this last day of 2012. What do you think has been important this year? Perhaps our perceptions are all relevant to our needs and wants—unless we are God-centered.

Losses, like in Newtown, Connecticut and Benghazi, Libya, a well as names such as Chris Stevens and Andy Griffith come to mind. And, how can anyone forget the election that had no beginning and no end? It continues long after votes were cast. But, what may have impacted us the most in 2012, may have been very personal: the loss of our job, the foreclosure of our home, or the collapse of our marriage and destruction of our family.

The loses for the Stevens’ family and the loved ones of the other heros that day in Libya were real. The unimaginable tragedy in Newtown with the loss of all those beautiful babies and their beloved teachers is more vivid than anyone would ever want to experience. The passing of beloved television personalities or actors is like losing a friend who was invited into our home for a weekly visit. That all makes sense to me.

What never ceases to amaze me, is the magical thinking some engage in. 2012 was the year they did not win the Power Ball or they found out they were all wrong about the Mayan Calendar and the end of the world. They had relied on wishes to determine their happiness. And, they lost their claim to uniqueness when they woke up "the morning after the end."

Where does your mind focus—on the things of earth and all the magical thinking that abides here? Or, are you focused on Heaven and the blessings God has for you both here and there? True living, or living true, is found in the life of the servants of God and all he has in store for us. Let that be our New Year’s Resolution—to keep our mind focused on heaven, for our real life is hidden there with Christ in God. Let us pray:

"Father of life and calendar-maker for us all, we bow before your sovereign majesty. Only you know our length of days. Only you purely bless. Only your name, and the name of your son Jesus, are holy. May heaven be our focus and our reality. Forgive us when we have thought we could wish a better life into existence for ourselves and others. You are the bearer of blessings, the giver of true treasure. May this be the last day we focus on the earth and the magical thinking we believe is here. Let January 1, 2013 be the first day we dwell with you in the real space of time and let it begin even today. We love your Lord and we seek your face completely. In the name of Jesus, your son our Lord, we pray, Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp