“Set Your Minds on Things Above”

Colossians 3:1-2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on EARTHLY things.”

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)

Wow, these last couple of weeks certainly have been interesting. 

We’ve had some sicknesses hit our family and when you are used to “healthy” as a way of life, disease and sickness sure has a way of playing with the old psyche, serenity and my never ending control issues.  A little over a week ago another senseless murder occurred just 45 minutes from our home.  The murder turned into a nationwide manhunt where it looks as though other lives were lost in the process.  This tragedy not only made me very sad and angry, but it caused me to have major flashbacks about the murder of my friend Brandon which happened just over seven months ago.  Couple all of this with the fact that my great state of Ohio is having to resort to extreme majors in order to balance the budget, and these measures will directly impact some people who are very close to me…and well I think you get the point.  Bottom line is, life is life, crap happens and it is not so much about the crap that is happening, as it is about how I am dealing with the crap.

So I get up this morning and go to my morning devotion and wouldn’t you know it God talked to me through the scripture verses above.

I was quickly reminded of “whose” I was and the importance of not getting “sucked” into the issues of the world but instead to use the issues as a means of drawing closer to the One who has all the answers and the power to give a selfish, angry, volatile, smuck like me compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in the face of life and all the crap that comes with it. 

After just completing my devotion, I am confident I will be good for today, but I also know tomorrow is another day and is why I will get up, and get back in the word again.

Relying on God instead of the world for my state of mind is a much better way to live and if you aren’t already doing it, I encourage you to start and continue. 

P.E.A.C.E.

jay@eaglelaunch.com