READING: Isaiah 42-45, Colossians 2:6-3:17
If you want to think about life change resulting from one’s walk with Christ, consider this mandate from the apostle Paul in today’s reading: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:1-2). Because Christ has given us life and resides in us, we must turn our hearts and minds from the things of this world to the things of God. The rule of the sovereign King in our lives ought to change our perspectives, our desires, and our actions.
I cannot help but think today about how easy it is to live for this world, even as Christ-followers. Think about some of the things we aim for: popularity . . . possessions . . . power . . . prestige . . . praise . . . platforms. All that are fleeting. All that are self-centered. None that makes an eternal difference. We set our hearts and minds on that which will not last, and we fail in our blindness to realize just how foolish such living can be. On the other hand, to follow God truly is to turn our attention to the lasting, the God-glorifying, the eternal. It is to know that this world is not our final home.
May God help all of us seek the things above today. We who are but pilgrims in this world ought to know better than to focus here.
PRAYER: “God, turn my heart to things above today.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Pay attention to how often you focus on, aim for, or worry about earthly things today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 46-50, Colossians 3:18-4:18
