Father, I come into Your presence this evening seeking respite for my soul. You know where I am right now. You know the weariness. You also know the joy of time spent with the love of my life the last couple of days and have blessed me with the gift of it. I give this week to You, Father. Use me as You will. May I be and do and say what would bring glory to Your name. Empower me with holy power to accomplish the tasks at hand. Amen.
Matthew 22:23-33 (<<click to read the passage)
After reading this passage, Lord, I also read the notes in my study Bible* and it spoke of how we, in every generation, tend to project human qualities to both heaven and God – interpreting it through “images and experiences of present life.”
As I pondered these thoughts an old phrase came to mind, “So heavenly minded that you’re of no earthly good.” Now that phrase is nowhere to be found in Scripture but it sure gives some food for thought. As my study Bible says, “We should concentrate more on our relationship with God than about what heaven will look like. Eventually we will find out, and it will be far beyond our greatest expectations.”
When I did a little searching online I discovered a song written and sung by Johnny Cash entitled “No Earthly Good”. It was released in 1977 but I don’t remember ever hearing it…until today.
Take time to read through the lyrics, Johnny Cash fan or not…I think Jesus would approve.
Come heed me, my brothers, come heed, one and all
Don’t brag about standing or you’ll surely fall
You’re shining your light and shine it you should
But you’re so heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good
If you’re holding heaven, then spread it around
There’s hungry hands reaching up here from the ground
Move over and share the high ground where you stood
So heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good
The gospel ain’t gospel until it is spread
But how can you share it where you’ve got your head
There’s hands that reach out for a hand if you would
So heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good
Lord, draw me to You today. When it comes to the Good News of what You so graciously offer – the Gospel that is – may I share it and ”spread it around”. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible
Sept 30th, 2018, Sun, 6:04 pm