How many times do we suffer disappointment and say, “I really had my heart set on that,”? Having our hearts set on things guarantees me disappointment.  Things on this earth are temporal and people are fallible.  We are setting ourselves up for a letdown when we set our hearts on things as if we need more and more – giving in to insatiable hunger and competitive lusts. Looking forward in faith and setting our hearts on things are two different things.

Having our mind set on God’s Kingdom and on heavenly agendas helps us to hold loosely to all the things of this world.  But the flip-side of that coin is true, too.  Holding tightly to our own agendas, building our own kingdom and setting our minds on the ‘name’ we want to create for ourselves will force us to hold loosely to God’s Kingdom purpose.  Like an investor, we need to weigh out the benefit in light of the risk.  If we gain the world, we lose our soul.  But if we lose our own life to gain Jesus, we have won everything both in this life and for eternity.  Which is the better investment?

Lord, today I need Your help keeping my heart and mind set on heavenly things.  If my compass needle starts to veer off the mark, I invite You, gentle Holy Spirit, to put your hand on me and help me get back on course.  I dedicate myself to thinking about You, meditating on Your Word and leaning in to hear You speak in my everyday coming and going.  Invade my life, my thoughts and my passions.  You are worth every invested minute! Amen.