Friday, April 9

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
—Colossians 3:2

It's an interesting exercise to watch our thoughts. Our minds are in
thousands of places every day. It's what makes it possible for us to
create, to help others, to find solutions to problems, to enjoy the wonder of the world. 

Our minds also find themselves wandering over the trackless wastes of selfishness, anger, bitterness, destruction, and violence. In the course of a day, or a month, or even a lifetime, we can find that our minds have dragged our souls in those trackless wastes and the effects have diminished us.

When we notice our minds have become consumed with the activities of earth or have slipped off the edge into dark places, it's time to switch channels—to make an intentional effort to move to a place where the mind can soar. To dwell in the holy air of heaven.

We have to still the thoughts that occupy us for so many hours every day, so that our souls can ascend into the embrace of the Holy One. It doesn't require much physical effort, but it does require a quietness within.

When our daily lives are so filled with action, encounters, disturbance and disappointment, it is sometimes challenging to reach that point of stillness. 

A simple way to begin is simply to sit still, and when a thought tries to occupy our mind, let the thought float away as gently as a canoe cutting a silent path through a placid lake at dawn. If, even for a few moments, you can bring your mind to peacefulness, your soul will soar.

Gracious God, make me long for the purer, quieter air of heaven.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2008.