Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

  - Colossians 3.2

A minded devoted to vain cares knows not how to keep measure.

  - Columbanus, "To Hunaldus" (Irish, 7th century)

You become what you study, what you devote your mind to by imagination, thought, and longing.

This is why people harbor dreams and visions of what they want to be or do "when they grow up." Or what their life in retirement will look like.

We become what we study, what we focus our attention on and strive to attain. If we are devoted merely to earthly things - material comforts, good health, friends, and the like - we will most likely realize a measure of success here.

But is this the way to measure the success of our lives?

Paul says, "No." Columbanus agrees. Of course, we must possess certain necessities and aspire to certain objectives related to life in this world. But that's different from being "devoted" to such things, to "setting our minds" on earthly attainments as that which above all else we hope to achieve.

Paul has bigger visions and greater prospects for us. Focus on unseen things, the things that surround the throne of Christ - glory, angels, unbounded and inexhaustible worship, beauty, goodness, wisdom, splendor, and on and on. If we study such things as this, our lives will begin to reflect these realities, and we will measure our progress in this journey by the way we advance in the knowledge and glory of the Lord.

But limiting ourselves to earthly concerns is no way to measure quality of life. "Set your minds" on Christ; meditate on the many beautiful, awesome, and glorious descriptions of Him exalted in glory; take your seat with Him in the heavenly places, and live your life from that vantage point.

Everything changes when we measure our lives, not in terms of mere earthly comforts or success, but of eternal glory and wonder.

T. M. Moore, Principal

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