Pastor Marvin Arnpriester

Several years ago, a colleague in the Iowa Conference shared the following information about the common fly in a devotional. At heights above eight to ten stories in buildings, people don’t have to worry about trying to keep the flies out. Flies only inhabit the lower levels. He said, “This illustrates an important principle of faith; we can rise above the things that ‘bug’ us.”

I don’t know about you, but the political ads this year continue to “bug” me. I continue to shake my head at the accusations and promises thrown by candidates and other groups trying to get us to vote for a political candidate.

Rev. Frank Nichols said we need to get in touch with those nagging things in our life and choose to live above them. He said, “Life needs some altitude.”

The apostle Paul said, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

So, instead of swatting at those things that “bug” me, maybe I need to use my energy to lift my life to God. Maybe I need to put more energy into positive attitudes and opportunities that add to life, rather than expending time, energy, and worry on things that “bug” me.

After all, life needs some altitude.