It’s a rare privilege to be able to see the stars in a clear night sky, without the pollution of city lights or the haziness of clouds. But when you do, something aligns in the sky and in us, reminding us of our place in this universe and centering us toward something fundamental — not just above us, but within ourselves.
Our experience of human life can be just like this. We are constantly “doing” and “going,” fulfilling duties or just passing the time, distracted or living life in a haze. Our mind is surrounded constantly by information, and it’s hard to find the truth. But when there’s a precious moment when all earthen lights are dimmed and the atmosphere is clear, we are powerfully connected to a cosmic turning that has been shining for millions of years — not just outwardly but within us. The universe is speaking to us, prodding us to delve into the depths of our own being, and leading us to seek the meaning of life.
In a believer’s life, these moments aren’t just rare opportunities or a privilege we can enjoy only once in a while. They are our daily experiences. While the world around us swirls with practicalities, conflicting information, and many other bright distractions, we have the power to “mind” something fundamental, something original, something pure: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Within our beings, in our deepest part, is the human spirit — the place where the Spirit dwells in us, by which we walk and live every day (Rom. 8:9-11; Gal. 5:25). This minding isn’t religious teaching or morality; it’s very real and practical. We put our mind, the focus of our thinking, feeling, and choosing, on the Lord. He is what we are occupied by. By setting our mind in this way, our spirit is engaged with the fundamental human capacity we were made for — a way of thinking that links us to the core of our being and to the One who created us. From this minding, we find the strength and clarity to confront the distractions and anxieties that cloud our minds, to see our lives with precision and purpose. It is in this way we are able to discern between the physical and the eternal, the superficial and the substantial.
Our minding also has a direction — a goal. Paul tells us, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). Just like finding and fixating on a guiding star, our feet are on the earth but our focus is in the heavens. It doesn’t mean we don’t live a physical life or need to attend to practical things; actually, when our mind is set on something high, grand, and eternal, our human life embodies a rich and colorful humanity on the earth. It used to be overwhelming or difficult to live a good life; now, our Source is like a gushing stream, a flowing fountain that enables us in love to seek the “things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).
Minding our spirit is very practical: each time we turn and set our mind to focus on this inward sense from our spirit, we’ll find ourselves increasingly able to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, precision, and strength. While we are in a world that often feels fragmented and disorienting, minding the simplicity of our spirit is how we will gain the eternal equipping and substance needed to overcome in these dark times, transforming us bit by bit, thought by thought, to become a testimony and beacon to this generation.
(Above are notes of fellowship taken from a gathering on 9/18/2024, not reviewed by the speaker.)