Things Above

Dan Kunz

What’s your secret?  How did you do it?  Although I can’t say I’m a Penn and Teller, David Copperfield, or Lance Burton fan, I am intrigued by how magicians can make it appear they’re doing things which don’t seem possible.  They many times start their shows by asking the audience to suspend their sense of what’s real and what’s imaginary, to “set people up” for what’s about to happen.  Always entertaining, always intriguing, always mysterious – those are the key goals of magicians.

Those same questions might arise in another circumstance, as well.  As we leave the old year and enter the new year, it’s probably common to look back at the highs and lows or and challenges of the last twelve months.  People might remember a common thread running through the list.  “I didn’t think that was possible,” could apply to either the good or the bad.  Sometimes the outcome of a situation might be very close to going either way!  We can have that same vision of those around us.  Friends and family members may go through adversity or celebrations from time to time.  If that’s the case, we may ask, “How did they do that?”  What motivates a person?  Where does their strength come from?  How were they able to manage all that? 

For you and I as Christians, navigating the landmines of life and properly enjoying to the full its successes only comes with the help of our Heavenly Father.  It’s not uncommon today to see a successful athlete point to the sky after performing some act of skill or strength.  I’m not sure what’s going through all their minds, but I assume at least some of them are acknowledging God for his help or their success.  Do we all acknowledge the blessings in life’s varying situations?  Better yet, do we automatically search for God’s help when faced with those things?  We should.  It’s also important to remember to ask for help in the “little” things as well as the “big” things.  For the last few weeks, I’ve tried an experiment connected with God’s help, support, and guidance. 

When faced with a problem, temptation, or struggle, I think to myself, “Things above.”  Such “things above” means different things in different cases.  If looking at a temptation, “things above” may mean focusing on what’s true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy, as Philippians 4:8 suggests. If I’m sick or injured, “things above” reminds me that this life is only temporary.  The glory of heaven is forever.  When acknowledging a sinful act or thought or omission, “things above” is a declaration of “not guilty” because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  Celebrations of success or blessings are no different.  When thanking God and praising him for good earthly things, “things above” highlights what our heavenly celebrations will be like when we’re with him! Colossians 3:1-2 1Therefore, because you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. 

Your mental “tap on the shoulder” may be different than mine, but any way you can be reminded to lean on God, thank God, or imagine being with God is a very good thing, indeed!