Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
Series Focus: “A Time for Everything”
Over the past few months, I have gone to bed night after night with many thoughts, lists, and concerns running through my mind. It is challenging to shut them down in order to sleep. Morning arrives, along with the booming of a snare drum in my mind. I know I am not alone in this. Somehow, we must tune out the constant noise around us to truly focus on the remarkable. Have you seen the extraordinary lately? Or are you stuck in the day to day so deeply you need a shovel to dig your way out? In this miraculous season of Advent, let’s choose a better option. This turnaround requires all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Prepared, equipped, and joy-filled, may we step into this place.
Scripture encourages us to fix our eyes upon Christ, our deliverer from that so-called snare drum. In the moments we can’t focus, sit still, or even catch our breath, we have Jesus at our side. He is who we want at the center of our attention and affection. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul offers this truth for us:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
None of us can fully comprehend the glory awaiting believers in Heaven. We have visions of what we hope it will be. There are scriptures that describe it, but mostly, all we truly have is a sure and steadfast hope that we will one day be joining our Savior in eternity.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20)
In Colossians, Paul instructs us to fix our eyes on things above. Remain focused on Christ—not this world. When my head is full and spinning I do not fix my eyes on Him wholeheartedly. The expectations, responsibilities, and obligations never end. If I take a moment to turn around, look at what I am doing, and look up for my direction, His peace calms my chaos. What a beautiful reminder to seek His face, prepare our hearts, renew our minds, and rest our weary souls. He is where our strength comes from.
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1)
Why do we forget to look up? To set our minds on things above? We’ve been given many reminders throughout God’s word. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the shepherds looked up to follow the star above the manger. The angels were seen in the skies singing praise to Him. We celebrate the birth of Jesus once a year, but we have access to Him everyday. In Psalm 16:11 we learn that in His presence there is fullness of joy!
Is it time for a turnaround? Time to let go of the worldly things holding onto you? Set your affection upon things above and take time this advent season to refocus on your indescribable Savior. When we walk into eternity we will not miss one earthly thing so why not get a little head start?
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Colossians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Hebrews 6:19-20; Pslam 16:11, 27:8, 121:1; Luke 2; Ephesians 2:18