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HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 3, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 5.

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HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS.

By Christian at Work

It is the part of wisdom to let worldly cares and enjoyments hang loosely about us, so that when "the inevitable hour" comes we may let them fall like a mantle, and take our departure unregretfully. Ripened fruit falls easily. So when the heart of the Christian is truly weaned from the world, death may come at any time and find him ready. It is possible to be in the world and yet not of it, to perform its proper tasks and allotted duties fully and bravely, while yet our supreme desires and affections are set on things above. If we allow worldly cares and perplexities to weave themselves about our hearts so firmly that they cannot rise above the level of our common life, then are we companioning ourselves with the beasts of the field, who live in the present only, and whose whole range of being is comprised within the circle of sensual gratification.
Heavenly-mindedness comes from a contemplation of the things that are pure and right and holy, from a study of God's word, and an application of its precepts to our daily life. It is not possible to have this frame of mind except it be with a consciousness that we are accepted of God, and have received forgiveness of sins. While the windows of the soul are darkened by sin and unbelief, we cannot expect that the sunshine will pour in to cheer and lighten its innermost recesses, and draw its thoughts heavenward.
The mind that is set on spiritual delights, that loves to commune with God, and find its chiefest joys in doing his service, will not be ruffled by every disappointment in life, or broken by its calamities, for these things it rightly regards as transitory, as of no account in comparison with things that come after, that are sure and eternal. Clothed in such serenity and peace, the soul may move through the midst of trials and griefs, such as come to all of us, like a great, strong ship whose course is not stayed by the buffeting of the winds and waves, because it has a certain port to gain, and a pilot who knows how to guide it there.—Christian at Work.