How I long for the day when Christ will take me home! But for the time being, I am called to be heavenly minded in a world that’s full of fleeting pleasures and attractive lies.
Though I know that Christ alone can and needs to satisfy my heart, I oftentimes find myself fighting the flesh and its idols. The heart issue is pride and self-love. I can be selfish . self-centered . self-focused . self-consumed. For example, there are some days when I’m exhausted from work and I actually make myself think that I deserve better. When I get home, I really don’t want to do anything for anyone else except myself. All I want to do is fall onto my bed and lie there . or lounge on the sofa and watch a movie that doesn’t require much thinking . or just read a book. My sin is revealed even more when a sister calls and I reluctantly let go of what I “need” to do to help her. How hypocritical! Granted, these activities (or lack thereof . referring to the lying there) are in and of itself legitimate and sometimes needed. However, more often than not, I know that it’s because I don’t want to pursue Christ and others.
It’s a daily fight to be Christ-centered. But when I’m close to the cross, how can I be self-focused? When I “consider Christ” (Heb. 12:3) and worship Him, how can I not be heavenly minded? Instead, I’m motivated by His love to serve the body of Christ. Storing up treasures in heaven really means investing in people, in eternal souls! (Rickard) When I believe that, it’s easy to let go of a massive to-do list or some difficult circumstance, and trust in the Lord. It eventually will be taken care of. “God is sovereign, faithful and good toward His children. His lovingkindness is everlasting. His will is perfect. He is all powerful. Trust Him. He knows, Grace!” I preach this to myself daily. Just remember . Martha things can be done with a Mary heart. (Carr)
God continues to remind me to be heavenly minded especially at work. It is amazing how easily I can be caught up with my students’ progress in class and forget the daily opportunity I have to interact with 150 eternal souls. I’ve been learning to pray and thank God for this mission field. He continues to answer my prayers by giving me opportunities to share about Christ, and in turn, reminds me of how teaching math can have an eternal impact for the kingdom. Doesn’t that make all the tiredness and exhaustion worth it? Praise God!
Just as my students are eternal, my roommates, core group girls, brothers and sisters at the 310/Foundry and discipleship relationships are also eternal! I will one day get to praise God alongside you forever! Please pray that I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, that I will worship Christ first. Only then can I genuinely love and serve the body. Please pray that I would be eager to fellowship, encourage and point others to Christ. May I be “unhindered” in “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:30), that I may love people without limits in a real and deep way.
Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages me to be heavenly minded, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Grace Yang
Thanks, Grace. What you share both resonates with and encourages me.
I love how you remind me that the world is full of temptation. We can get so easily deceived thinking because it feels good or looks good, it must be good. But in the end, we will also see what is truly good and Holy. You and the Bentley Girls have been a wonderful part of The 310.
Grace,
I am blessed to read the words of your heart, the dear heart that beats for Christ that I have come to know this past year in core group. Your faithfulness to “walk in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”, affirms the joy that is there when we offer up our “numbered days” to Him who is worthy of all.
Praise, glory and honor to the Holy One.
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