A Mind Full Of Light

I wake up and once again the Bible speaks to me right where I am and changes my focus.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" - Matthew 6:22-23 ESV

What is our focus? Our minds and bodies need light. Ok here is the context of the passage...

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" - Matthew 6:19-23 ESV

Our Earthly treasures are insecure so that can't be our focus. An eternal value system gives us a vision and the action of 'storing up treasure in Heaven' is anxiety free. The 'dark mind' is one that is full of anxiety and fear.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them." - Colossians 3:1-7 ESV

This may not sound practical. It is still Monday. There are still very real concerns. For many of us this does not mean we abandon our lives or responsibilities. We need to function in a world where money is needed and all kinds of other practical things need to be considered but we can choose our focus. We need to choose or it will be chosen for us.

Light. Souls. Bible. Integrity. Truth. Jesus. Vision. Joy. Peace. Mercy. Grace. Justice.

These are the lasting things. These are the Heavenly treasures. We do what we do for these things. We choose to care for ourselves, people and responsibilities but fear has no place with this focus. The dark mind is banished.

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