I bet you’ve heard some version of this expression: Small minds talk about people, mediocre minds talk about things, and great minds talk about ideas. You’ve heard something like that. Right?

It sure makes people and things appear to be less significant topics.

And I totally agree if you talk about people and things the way most people do these days. But it occurred to me, recently, when I thought about what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8-9 how he talked about people and things. You remember that section. It’s where he told the Christians in Philippi how to focus their meditation and thoughts. And I don’t believe anyone who’s actually read Paul’s writings could say he had a small mind.

Many motivational speakers and marketing gurus love to talk about focus. And they love to categorize it into those three levels; small minds, mediocre minds, and great minds.

I’m gonna share a word picture analogy, about focus, that I shared around 12 years ago. But before I do I’d like you to think about what you can actually take to Heaven with you when your life, here on earth, is done. Sure, they say “you can’t take it with you” and “you won’t see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.” But you certainly don’t have to go empty-handed. Metaphorically or figuratively speaking.

Anyway…

Picture this in your mind’s eye:

From the window in your kitchen you see a sunflower in your front yard. It’s standing there all alone in the rocks and grass or whatever happens to be in your yard. It’s beautiful, colorful, and downright delightful. So you pop out your trusty camera and snap a quick pic. But when you share the photo with friends, they don’t get the full effect. They also see the rocks and weeds and how your fence needs a paint job.

But, now picture this. You take your camera outside, kneel down, and really focus in on the sunflower itself. You capture the bright yellow petals with hues of sunset orange blended into interconnecting spirals. Your photo. clearly shows the fruit and seeds of the flower. And it’s great that you have a camera with enough pixels to show so many details. That helps you get a shot that vividly shares the beauty that caught your eyes.

And Paul wanted people to be able to get a much clearer picture of God’s peace. So he compiled a list of things to focus on. Uh-oh, that almost seems like Paul put his mind on people and things.

But that definitely wasn’t small-minded of him.

So you could say the small minds, mediocre minds, and great minds perspective is kind of a rule of thumb. But you don’t have to say it. Because I just did.

You’re welcome.

OK, did you think about what you can take to Heaven with you? Well, it’s the treasures Jesus talked about. And those treasures are based on relationships with people. And other eternal things. So, people and things are important to your Creator. Not just as something to talk about with no regard or love for them.

So, how ’bout it?

Will you give your love today
In the little things you do?
Will you think of words to say
That will help your neighbor, too?
Will you think before you speak
And say things you might regret?
Will you think up ways to care…
Ways you haven’t thought up yet?
Will you try to keep your love
In a secret hideaway?
Jesus gives you ALL of His…
So, you should give your love today. © 2015

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