Thought for the Week
I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning, and did what I always do when I wake up early: Obsessed. Sometimes I obsess about big life issues. In this case it was about a minor, recurring dental problem. Obsessing seldom leads me to any kind of practical solution, but it does sometimes lead to a parallel epiphany. In this case, it led me to think about how much time I spend obsessing.
In frustration, I finally blurted out (silently, since my wife was still asleep), “I’m so sick of focusing on me! I wish I could just focus on you, God, and be done with this self-obsessing business forever!” Aha! So that’s what heaven’s about! I shouted (silently). Later, during my morning quiet time, it occurred to me that, like many people, I sometimes wonder what we’ll do in heaven.
“I mean, just focus on you, God? Like, forever?”
Yes, I know such thoughts are due simply to my finite human experience. After all, my most joy-filled moments come when I’m focusing on something other than myself, particularly God. But until now I never saw it from the reverse angle: Being completely focused on God means being completely free from focusing on me. And that is one of the most joyful thoughts I’ve ever had!
It’s true that our human bodies—obsessive brains notwithstanding—are marvelous creations. Just look at the joy toddlers express as they learn how to run and jump. But that’s for toddlers. It’s only a stage. We were created for more. Infinitely more.
We were created to fly.
Mitch Teemley 
Amazing thoughts. Thanks so much for sharing.
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My pleasure, Keziah.
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Fly? Maybe. Have whiter teeth? Maybe. Learn how to love? For sure. Learn to let go? Even more for sure. I share those 4:00 AM bleak obsessions…Today, I googled how to have a bigger, younger smile. Some days, I’m less self-absorbed, and just worry about extinction, climate change, amassed wealth, and guns :).
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I suspect our “spiritual bodies” (Philippians 3:20-21) will have no teeth at all, Rita. ;>) “Loving” and “letting go”? Worthy obsession topics indeed, and even worthier topics for prayer.
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Thanks
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Reminds me of this quote by Tolstoy ““For man to be able to live he must either not see the infinite, or have such an explanation of the meaning of life as will connect the finite with the infinite.””
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I like it. Thanks, Andrew.
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I’ve been wondering the same thing — is it possible to change my thoughts, get my focus off myself and back to God? My ego resists it every time!
I guess the only answer is: Yes, we can do it, but only with God’s help.
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and we don’t need wings …
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Nope!
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Reading articles about the significance of 3.40am and 4.00am, does create a certain feelings whenever one happens to glance at the clock that hits those times.
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My reading today from “Rejoice and Tremble,” the recently released book by Michael Reeves, coincides nicely with your thoughts. “‘So do not become proud, but fear,’ wrote Paul (Rom. 11:20), for trembling in wonder at God keeps one from trusting in oneself. It is the key to true humility, which is not about trying to think less of yourself or trying to think of yourself less but about marveling more at him. A true and happy fear of God simply eclipsed self. It is, in other words, THE antidote to pride and the prayerlessness that springs from pride. When God is so marvelous in our eyes that we rejoice and tremble, we cannot but praise him and throw ourselves on him in hearty and dependent prayer.” (p. 149) Hallelujah!
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Amen, Dora!
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God’s Word tells us that we will be satisfied when we are in His likeness (Psalm 17:15) and I believe Him. Neither eye has seen or ear heard or entered into the hearts of men, the things that God has prepared for them that love Him (1 Cor 2:9). I know that when I was given a taste of being in His presence many years ago, (saw nothing nor heard nothing) NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING could have persuaded me to leave His presence. Words cannot describe. Blessings Mitch.
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You too, Bruce.
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The hubby and I were just discussing ‘what we will do in Heaven’! I can’t wait to find out!
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A friend once taught me when waking at some wee hour to ask God, “Who do you want me to pray for?” Trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal someone who needs encouragement and reinforcement in the Heavenly realms. Doing this has lessened my obsessing times and generated a new focus rather than immediate frustration when checking the clock and it happens to be some hour I wanted to be deep in sleep.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
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Love this
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We live in a world that consists of “us” and our wants and worrying about what others think. We need to turn to Jesus because it’s all about Him anyways, not us.
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Beautiful post Mitch. Yup I think we all wonder about heaven and I hope that not only flying but also the courage to do so will be ours!
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We were created to fly…and we are flying with our dreams and hope.
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It occurred to me one day as I was fussing over my appearance in the mirror that there will be no mirrors in heaven. We will be completely oblivious to the breathtaking beauty of our new bodies. We’ll have better things to focus on – HIM. 🥰
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No mirrors in heaven? You mean, I won’t have to look at my freckles anymore?
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Nope. But the rest of us will be seeing and enjoying them. 😉❤️
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Love your post, but I’m wary of this quotation from Teilhard de Chardin. It is no accident God created us (in his image) with physical bodies. Nor is it without significance that Christians have always proclaimed our belief in the resurrection. We will not spend eternity as disembodied souls or spirits. Rather, we’ll enjoy our “new” body will be like Jesus’ resurrected body (Philippians 3). Unfallen, and not subject to suffering and death, the way God intended.
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Hi, Rob, I always appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I don’t think Chardin’s use of the term “spiritual beings” implies “disembodied,” only that our current “human being” state is temporal, and not our true nature.
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Mitch,
I loved this and looking forward to life without spots or blemishes in my new resurrected body!
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I love that your early morning obsessing lead you to God. When we take the focus off of ourselves, He is revealed. Thank you for this post. Lisa
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My pleasure, Lisa.
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I love your last line. We were born to fly. Sometimes like a mother bird God kicks us out if the nest so we have to find our wings.
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Exactly. Great analogy, Deborah.
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Love that last line, Mitch! But I have a little different take than Deborah. Having watched barn swallow parents and their patience with their fledglings, I’m thankful that like those parents, God knows just when I’m ready to fly, and when I sometimes need to return to the nest for refreshment and reenergizing!
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To be one with GOD.
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