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Johnny Cash once sang,” you’re so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good”. Most of the time I agree heartily with the Man in Black, but in this instance I must protest. And though there be some element of truth in this statement, it is not from being “too heavenly minded” that causes issues down here below. I would submit that when we are “no earthly good” it stems from a defect rather than an excess of heavenly mindedness.

Our real problem is we too often mistake earth’s joys for heaven’s, and this will only result in misery and woe and fruitlessness in our service to others. In fact, the Christian knows that the only hope for this earth is the riches and the fruit of heaven. Isaac Watts understood this well, and so I share here a hymn of his. If we would be holy and fruitful in our commission upon this earth, we must forsake worldliness and feast only at heaven’s table!

Far from my thoughts, vain world, begone,
Let my religious hours alone:
Fain would my eyes my Savior see;
I wait a visit, Lord, from Thee.

My heart grows warm with holy fire,
And kindles with a pure desire:
Come, my dear Jesus, from above,
And feed my soul with heav’nly love.

The trees of life immortal stand
In fragrant rows at Thy right hand;
And in sweet murmurs, by their side,
Rivers of bliss perpetual glide.

Haste, then, but with a smiling face,
And spread the table of Thy grace;
Bring down a taste of fruit divine,
And cheer my heart with sacred wine.

Bless’d Jesus, what delicious fare!
How sweet Thy entertainments are!
Never did angels taste above
Redeeming grace, and dying love.

Hail, great Immanuel, all divine!
In Thee Thy Father’s glories shine;
Thou brightest, sweetest, fairest One,
That eyes have seen or angels known.