Earthly Use

You may have heard the expression “Do not be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthy use”. I.e, if we become too spiritual, we will stop being practical. But I would argue the expression should in fact be “Be so heavenly minded, you cannot help but be of earthly use”. After all, Jesus himself was totally God focused, yet people flocked to him for spiritual and physical healing.

The Bible tells us to focus on Jesus and to live like runners racing to win the prize (Hebrews 12v1-3). And in Phillipians 3v18-20 Paul talks about those who face destruction, whose minds are on earthly things, “But our citizenship is in heaven”. The Lord’s prayer says “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, On Earth as it is in Heaven” – we are to see God’s Kingdom come to the Earth. But the Lord’s prayer still starts with “Our Father who art in Heaven“.

If we focus on heaven, we won’t be able to do anything else but serve those around us. Our love for God leads us to love others, it will flow out of us without even realising it. The more we focus on heaven, the more we will want to see heaven-like qualities on earth. If we don’t focus on how awesome the world could be then how will be motivated to make it better? And if we don’t focus on Jesus then how can be have the energy and spirit to help those around us?

Therefore it is clear we are called to be “heavenly minded”, so where does the expression about not being come from?

As Christians we need to be careful not to falling into “super-spiritualism”, where we just sit and talk philosophy or finer points of doctrine, over and over until it becomes meaningless. All for no reason other than to just talk about spiritual stuff. Yet we still need our focus to be on God at all times, to always be heavenly minded. So how do we find balance?

I believe the trouble resides in, well, where we reside. We are called to be citizens of heaven, but for now we are confined to this planet Earth, so we must make our temporary home someplace here. If we hide away in Churches to pray, praise and seek God, make that our home, how can the world see our light? We hide it almost as much if we pretended to not be Christians at all! Jesus prayed and praised as he went out into the town, he was in constant communication with God. He made His home amongst the unbelievers, with the sick who needed a doctor. If we go to those who need us, make our home there, our focus will turn to the areas of the spiritual that benefit those around us.

Now there are times we need to meet together with Christians, after all Jesus went away to quiet places to pray, alone or with other believers. We time to be fed, and spend time without pressures, yet it seems likely (judging by how the Gospels are written) those quiet times for Jesus were the exception not the rule.  Jesus heard from God as part of His ministry.

So let’s go outside, walk around and pray. Maybe God will show us someone we can help. Go out with friends and in gaps in conversation pray for them, ask God how to share the Gospel. Watch TV or read a book with heaven in mind and maybe find God is using it to speak to us. Let’s not replace that valuable Church time, but rather make more use of the time away from Church. Be heavenly minded, all the time, in every place, and you will find your earthly use.  You won’t be able to help it!