Set Your Mind
“Shouldn’t we be thinking about how to live and behave in the here and now, so that we are ready when Christ returns?”
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Reflection
During the course of the day, our lives are full of choices. “Where will I have lunch today?” “Should I wear my blue or green sweater to work?” “Do I feel like cleaning the house or going out with my friends?” How about this choice: “Shall I live a life focused on Jesus or on the things this world has to offer?”
I think a lot of people, some Christians included, want to live what they consider happy, balanced lives: a little work, some money to buy things, a little fun, some success, a relationship with Jesus, some peace and quiet, a few adventures. Yes, somewhere sandwiched in between, or buried among, the other desires of a balanced life is a relationship with Jesus. But the truth is we can’t mix living for Jesus with worldly endeavors and pleasures that run counter to seeking a holy and righteous life.
Shouldn’t we be thinking about how to live and behave in the here and now, so that we are ready when Christ returns?
Thinking about the things of heaven is all about focusing on the holiness of the One we most want to serve NOW. If the choices we make in the here and now are driven by a desire to be faithful and obedient to God, then our lives will be richly blessed. We have died to ourselves, and are a part of the body of Christ, secure and safe until His glory is revealed to us all. It is truly a new mindset, but one that will serve us well as we seek to live a life here on earth that honors God and prepares us for the eternal life that Jesus has secured for us.
Action Steps
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my many blessings, and for showing me the way to salvation and abundant life. Continue to guide and direct me, so that I don’t stray from this path You have set before me. I long for the day that You return in all Your glory, but until then, help me to seek Your will for my life in the here and now. Amen.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Reflection
During the course of the day, our lives are full of choices. “Where will I have lunch today?” “Should I wear my blue or green sweater to work?” “Do I feel like cleaning the house or going out with my friends?” How about this choice: “Shall I live a life focused on Jesus or on the things this world has to offer?”
I think a lot of people, some Christians included, want to live what they consider happy, balanced lives: a little work, some money to buy things, a little fun, some success, a relationship with Jesus, some peace and quiet, a few adventures. Yes, somewhere sandwiched in between, or buried among, the other desires of a balanced life is a relationship with Jesus. But the truth is we can’t mix living for Jesus with worldly endeavors and pleasures that run counter to seeking a holy and righteous life.
Shouldn’t we be thinking about how to live and behave in the here and now, so that we are ready when Christ returns?
Thinking about the things of heaven is all about focusing on the holiness of the One we most want to serve NOW. If the choices we make in the here and now are driven by a desire to be faithful and obedient to God, then our lives will be richly blessed. We have died to ourselves, and are a part of the body of Christ, secure and safe until His glory is revealed to us all. It is truly a new mindset, but one that will serve us well as we seek to live a life here on earth that honors God and prepares us for the eternal life that Jesus has secured for us.
Action Steps
- Seeking the things that are above, where Christ is (verse 1) sounds very intimidating, but it really is just a new mindset for everyday living. Write down three choices you can make today that you think would be pleasing to God (Examples: I will read my Bible instead of watching TV, I will call a friend to offer encouragement instead of scrolling through social media.)
- Listen to the song “This Is Not Where I Belong” by Building 429, then pray and thank God for the knowledge that while we are here on earth, our Heavenly Father wants us to thrive and have abundant lives!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my many blessings, and for showing me the way to salvation and abundant life. Continue to guide and direct me, so that I don’t stray from this path You have set before me. I long for the day that You return in all Your glory, but until then, help me to seek Your will for my life in the here and now. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
April
Trust in God's ProvisionInvesting in God's KingdomThe Deceitfulness of WealthLiving for EternityTrusting God's TimingWalking in Bold FaithObedience When It’s HardThe Power of Your InfluenceRemembering God’s GoodnessThe King We NeedThe Exchange of InnocenceFrom Death to LifeTrue Freedom in ChristThe Power of Sacrificial LoveThe Relentless Love of the Good ShepherdCelebrating the FoundThe Father’s Unconditional LoveThe Heart of JesusHope in God's Unfailing LoveUnmet Expectations and God's LoveFaith in the Midst of Confusion
2024
January
My Only AimRun to WinSetting Aside the Good for the BestDon’t Lose HeartFight the Good FightReflecting on Finishing Well…Not The Year But LifeLook UpPurposed in My HeartA Life of PrayerTo the Left or to the Right Seeking Godly CounselThe Word of the LordReflecting on Looking UpLooking BackGod is Faithful
No Comments