On Things Above
By Brita Crouse
“Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
"I see
Your face in every sunrise
The colors of
the morning are inside Your eyes
The world
awakens in the light of the day
I look up to
the sky and say
You're
beautiful”
This past semester, I started working as a school counseling
intern. Because I was working in schools, I was usually off to work before
sunrise. I love sleep…which made these early mornings difficult. So on my drive
into work, I always put in a CD with songs full of worship to “set my mind” before
I started my day.
"I see
Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets
are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed
in the light of the stars
It's all
proclaiming who You are
You're
beautiful”
On top of two internships, I also had to attend night classes. So
I’d start my day in darkness and end my day walking home from class in the
dark. I spent many of these walks talking to God to “set my mind” about the
work I had to do when I got home.
“When we arrive
at eternity's shore
Where death is
just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in
as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will
come together and we'll sing
You're
beautiful” [1]
During that same semester, I also experienced a personal trial.
I wasn’t sure how that would impact my work and life as a student. But with
God’s strength and the comfort of others, I was able to “set my mind” and make
it through.
"I see You
there hanging on a tree
You bled and then
you died and then you rose again for me
Now You are
sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be
coming home
You're
beautiful”
Working as a school counselor, I heard about the experiences of
my students. While some were good, I heard many horrible things my students
have faced. It was easy to be weighed down by this information. So I took
comfort in God’s Word and the people He has surrounded me with to “set my
mind.”
If there is one thing I am continuing to learn, it is the
importance of setting my mind on things above. Earthly things: monotony,
complaining, stress or worry can be dangerous. But when we fix our eyes on God,
we can “set our minds” to things above.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What actions can you take to help you set your mind on the
things of God?
FURTHER READING:
Brita recently moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where
she works as an Elementary School Counselor. She and her family have attended
Oakwood for 20 years.
[1] Phil Wickham.
“You’re Beautiful.” Cannons. Fair Trade Services, 2007.
