If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV

Let’s face it: life is filled with distractions. There are so many things in life that will quickly, easily, and, if we aren’t extremely careful, even permanently take our attention away from the one thing that should always be uppermost in our minds. And what is that one thing? Paul states it clearly in the passage quoted above. We are to set our minds on things above. Believers in Jesus Christ should have a heavenly mindset.

But is that even possible? We are pulled in so many different directions, faced with a multitude of distractions, focused on so many demands, that we find it impossible to have our minds set on things above. Oh, we may carve out a few minutes each day for a time of prayer and Bible reading, perhaps even read some devotional material, and maybe even do the exercises in a discipleship growth guide, but beyond that our minds are focused on the gazillion other things that are pressed upon us. We find it beyond our capabilities to have our thoughts focused on things above, and not on the things of the earth.

So, Paul must have not meant this to be taken seriously. How could he? Even the great apostle must have had moments when his mind was focused on the things of the earth. Surely when he was engaged in tent making his mind had to be riveted on the task at hand. When he was recuperating from the many beatings, stonings, and other forms of persecution he endured his mind would have been absorbed with the pain and discomfort he was experiencing.

And besides, if he only knew what was going on in my life right now, he would never even think of suggesting that I could have my mind set on things above. Right? Really – am I right? Well, no, I would be absolutely wrong. My mind should be fixed and focused on things above. Regardless of what I am doing, who I am with, where I am going, what deadlines I have to meet, what projects I have to complete – or anything else – my mind should be focused on things above.

The eventualities of life are but avenues of opportunity for us to show the love of Christ to a needy world. As our minds are consistently focused on things above, our lives will bear witness to our total commitment to the Lord, and those with whom we come into contact will see the influence of our heavenly mindset on our attitudes, actions, and activities.

To make sure his readers don’t miss this important point, Paul goes on to explain in the following verses. Read carefully these words which elaborate on this crucial matter.

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Colossians 3:5-10

As disciples of Jesus Christ, having died to our old self and having been raised to new life in Christ, our lives are to bear the radical change that has been wrought in us by the indwelling, empowering, and enabling of the Holy Spirit. We are to systematically put off the old, which is influenced by the things of the earth, and put on the new, which is influenced by the things above. Our lives are to bear witness to this radical transformation.

And thus, we are to fix our minds on things above, realizing that the things of the earth are no longer to have power over us.

So, what are you thinking about?

Blessings.