Set Your Heart On Things Above

I thought we could reflect a bit on these simple words.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

Something fundamental happens to us when we invite Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and turn our will and our life over to the care of God.  Things that were dead in us come alive and we are able to desire new things, think new thoughts, understand life in a new way, and actually behave differently.    That's what it means to be "raised with Christ."

Sometimes we think the story ends there, but it doesn't because the next phrase tells us that there is something we need to do in order to live this new life well.

I suppose it's similar to the joy of a child being born into the world. New life is seen and celebrated. This beautiful baby is breathing and probably howling, but fingers and toes and arms and legs are moving and there is very definitely life.  How long would that life be sustained without food and water and the security of its parents care?  Not long.

Similarly, once we are born again to new life by Jesus Christ, we're told we then have to "set our hearts on things above." We remember that we are not in this alone.  God has all power and authority and is working for good in all things in our life.  We are safe and secure as we follow His will. 

It means we will have to make choices to see beyond what we see in our circumstances and even experience in our thoughts and feelings.  We will have to choose to live in the truth and let that truth change us and our response to what is going on.

For example we are told: 

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15

We won't always have peace happening in our circumstances or our emotions but we can make a choice to receive peace from God who has already shown His power to overcome all of evil.  We “set our hearts on things above” when we choose to trust God’s work and protection for us in whatever we are facing and hold onto that until circumstances change.

When we are facing financial difficulty we don’t live in anxiety or resort to unwise choices.  We “set our mind on things above” by trusting God when He tells us that He will supply all our needs. We tell God what we need, do what we can, and wait for what He brings along.

And so, Heavenly Father, with whatever we are facing today, we want to remember that we have been raised to new life in You and we want to set our minds above it all.  Thank You for Jesus, whose death and resurrection is a powerful reminder that there is nothing negative that You don’t have power over.  Our hope is set on all He has done for us and all You will do for us today at we trust You with our will and all the things in our life today. Amen

Well, many times each day we have to “set our hearts on things above” don’t we?  But life is so much better as we do.  Let’s do our best as often as we need to again today.