Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. —Colossians 3:2
As a commitment-phobe, I find it difficult to form strong relationships. I never thought I would journey into the realm of the marriage life. I would be skipping the joy of seeing a life passing down from a generation of my own blood. I, therefore, realise that I have a tendency to stay true to an earthly obsession. This quote I strongly remember from an Episode from House (DNR) where a legendary jazz musician John Henry Giles is checked into the hospital and when he’s told he’s dying from ALS, he signs a DNR to avoid a slow death. House disagrees with the diagnosis and goes against everyone’s wishes when he violates the DNR to save Giles’ life.
House: And that’s all you are, musician?
Giles: I got one thing, same as you.
House: Really? Well apparently you know me better than I know you.
Giles: I know that limp. I know that empty ring finger. And that obsessive nature of yours, that’s a big secret. You don’t risk jail in your career to save somebody who doesn’t want to be saved unless you got something, anything, one thing. The reason normal people got wives and kids and hobbies – whatever. That’s because they ain’t got that one thing that hits them that hard and that true. I got music, you got … this – the thing you think about all the time. The thing that keeps you south of normal. Yeah, makes us great. Makes us the best. All we miss out on is everything else. No woman waitin’ at home after work with the drink and the kiss. That ain’t gonna happen for us.
House: That’s why God made microwaves.
Giles: Yeah. But when it’s over, it’s over.
I like music too. And so in light of the Colossians 3:2 verse, that begs the question: “Is music temporal or eternal?” This is, I would call, a b7, or a grey area of life, much like justice versus vigilatism. That is why people follow Jesus. It is the “Messiah complex”. I have more of a “Rubik’s complex”, I would say.
Bill Crowder writes: … only as we allow our values to be motivated and shaped by the eternal (not the temporal) will we be effective ambassadors of Christ in the world. It is in the understanding that we are pilgrims in this world, not tourists, that we can keep a clear perspective and an undistracted heart—and can more effectively serve the Savior.
(Colossians 3:1-4,5,8) 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Of what kingdom is stable,
Of what kingdom is humble,
Of what kingdom is gentle,
Of what kingdom is sacrificial.
Hidden are the lives that are in the Messiah,
The Creator’s custodian to save them all,
to set division between heaven and crimson fire,
to him who lacks belief, he says, stand tall!
Stand tall in your relationships,
Stand tall as humble ambassadors,
Stand tall in hardships,
at the end of your trials there are rewards!
Payoffs that peel the pelt of the pupil,
revealing the apple of your eye that sees no turmoil,
and he shall enunciate you with a will,
this heritage is yours you who have zeal.
How long will they delight in shameful ways,
and not pay a peek to the pious who prays,
come to Him, all who are burdened in confusion,
Rest is raining, do not rust, there is resolution.
