I assume that you have heard of the oft-quoted maxim and exhortation, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” First of all, the maxim is not biblical, in the sense that it is not a citation from Scripture. Yet, at the same time, one can understand what it is getting at. There is a way in which Christians may become so caught up in the things of heaven and all that it presents, in a way that distracts us from the good works that God has called us to walk in here on earth (Eph. 2:10). Fortunately for us, neither Paul nor the Bible calls us to focus solely on heaven, its furnishings, glory, or location.
The Bible’s instruction regarding seeking things above is more about a person and a position, rather than a place. How does this work out in the Scriptures? In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul writes:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
One must notice that the reason we focus on what is above is because that is where Christ is. When we focus on Him, we gain a deeper understanding of how we are to operate on earth. Consider Jesus’ life on earth and how He operated. Jesus’ life demonstrates the complete fulfillment of the two greatest commandments: love God with your whole heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34). This understanding of who Jesus is and how He operates provides the proper orientation for God’s people in terms of both heaven and earth.
Lastly, focusing on the person who is both fully God and fully man helps us understand His position as well. Jesus sits at the right hand of God, which is the place of authority and governance over all the earth. From this, we can be certain that the bridge between heaven and earth will be united by the One who is above.