Confession: I’ve been caught up in things below much more than things above, and here is my excuse.

So many events happen each day that beg for my attention under the guise of making me a well-informed person. Current events, scandals, tragedies, evils, politics, wars and rumors of wars, all of which are important but in the bigger picture, not crucial, yet each of which drain a little more of my finite attention to be amused and preoccupied with the things below.

Colossians 3: 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

This doesn’t constitute a license to stick my head in the sand or to be eyes-closed ignorant, so heavenly minded I’m no earthly good. But I have such a knack for being distracted by news cycles, opinions and information that it drags me off course of seeing the things above.

People I know who seem to have the most joy and contentment in their lives are a lot simpler. They know how to be informed but not preoccupied to the point they jeopardize their panoramic view of things above. But I’m an addict and tend to overindulge in all things good or bad.

As such, I’m a voracious consumer of podcasts and news. So much so, the hobby crowds out so many other options for my time. A lifelong disdain of ignorance among believers compels my appetite. But altogether, it reminds me more of the mess of this world below than the promise of order above it.

I consciously forfeit good news of abundant joy for bad news of abundant evil.

Even now as I’m drafting this story, I’m on my 3rd podcast of the morning informing me that the days are evil in ways well beyond my ability to change.

What I can change, however, is to whom my finite attention is devoted.

My work is cut out for me.

Can I get an amen? and a third cup of coffee?