Set Your mind on things above.!
“CHOOSING TO LOOK UP”
By: Rev. Dan Minor
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
Colossians 3:2
One of our delights is babysitting for our great-grandson. He is a beautiful, happy, fun-loving, curious young boy. He lights up the room when he enters it. Among other things, he loves stories, toys, puzzles, stroller rides, and his favorite children’s DVD “Blue’s Clues.” His world changes dramatically when his mother comes to pick him up. He will be playing and all of a sudden he looks up and sees his mother! A big smile comes across his face and his eyes light up when he runs to the outstretched arms of his loving mother.
In the Bible there are at least two kinds of looking up:
(1.) Physically
The Magi looked up and saw a star that led them to the Christ-child (Matthew 2:9, 10). Jesus talked about a time to come, at the end of the age, when we will look up and see Him coming on a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27,28).
We live in the great in- between time … the now and not yet. There is something we can do in the meantime. We can “set our minds on things above, not earthly things” (Colossians 3:2).
(2). Mindfully
We can have a Christian mindset. We can have the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5) – the attitude of Christ. It has been said, “Attitude is Your Paintbrush. It colors every Situation.” (James W. Moore).
This is really a matter of focus. When we look down, we can feel defeated, depressed and alone. Conversely, when we set our minds on things above, we experience victory, joy, hope and a connection to God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we will fix our eyes upon You (Hebrews 12:2). In Your strong name. Amen.