There was nothing intriguing about the wall. Stone had been chiseled into large blocks, carefully mortared and stacked. A layer of rounded stone ran along the top, giving the appearance of uniformity. Closer inspection, however, revealed each stone to be quite different from its neighbor. Otherwise, the wall was cold, gray and not much to look at.

Yet there was its height, rather insignificant were it not for the fact that it prevented me from seeing to the other side. My view was blocked, over and through. I found a gate, though securely locked, and plants placed to prevent anyone from spying. Now I had to know what was hidden. Then I got an idea.

With my trusted camera, I perched atop a nearby tree stump and, with no grace whatsoever, leapt into the air. I'm certain I gained at least two more vertical inches from the top of the stump. Firmly holding the camera, I stretched my long arms upward and snapped a picture of...well, I had no idea really.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel of love and hate, honor and shame, integrity and deception, fellowship and racism. Deep in the story, Harper Lee, the author, wrote, "There are some kind of men who are so busy worrying about the next life, they've never learned to live in this one." Many have compared these wise words to the old saying, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good." The point of both has to do with a certain obsession.

When it came to what was on the other side of that wall, I'd become a bit obsessed. Nothing else mattered. And had my obsession continued, I would've missed what was on my side of the wall---trees with brilliant red berries, huge brown mushrooms, deep green grass, black sheep with two sets of horns about their heads (seriously), and a picnic table loaded with food just waiting for me (along with an increasingly impatient wife and two dear friends).

The Apostle Paul once wrote, Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2). The word for "set your mind" literally means to exercise the mind. Paul is saying to set aside what the world claims as important and exercise the mind with what God says is important---our relationship with Him and others, loving and encouraging, studying His Word, and following Him.

We are to take what we learn and experience with Him and apply it as we live it in this world. Learn from there to use here. That kind of thing. And clear in Paul's words is the caution, "Don't get obsessed with either place." We can't be obsessed with the world or we'll end up ignoring God. And we can't obsess with life beyond this world without ignoring those here who need to know Him.

When we live this life in the right way, the next life takes care of itself. What's the right way? Well, pay attention because it's terribly complicated and more than a little tricky. Ready?

Reach up to God, then reach out to others. Love God, then love one another. Follow God, then lead others. Stand with God, then stand with others. Let God encourage you, then encourage others. Find your way with God, then help others find theirs. And in those lonely, terrible times, boldly carry the light of God so others will see His light in the darkness of this world.

My picture turned out to be of beautiful gardens outside Cawder Castle near Inverness, Scotland. Hmmm, maybe all this isn't so complicated after all. Perhaps, even there, God was teaching me something---What good is a view of the garden, if you don't share it with anyone?

May God flow from above, through you, and into the hearts of men, women and children on the earth.