"Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
When I was at a public event recently, I overheard a woman behind me saying, “Things are out of control in this world, and I am just so over it.” And you know what? I couldn’t help but nod my head in silent agreement. Her words expressed what many of us are thinking on a daily basis, and it leaves us wondering how we’re supposed to navigate the current challenges we’re facing.
When Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, he encouraged them with these words: “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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
As I read his words, my heart is filled with a longing I can’t quite explain. My spirit knows it has been raised with Christ, but my weary feet are still here, walking the earth. On a daily basis, I lift my eyes to heaven and whisper words of trust, belief, and hope. Yet, on the same daily basis, I struggle to find my footing. What is the answer? How can we keep our eyes on heaven and our feet on earth?
It’s become almost trendy to find your true self and claim your identity for the whole world to see. But imagine what would happen if people discovered who they are in Christ and began to live out their godly identity for the whole world to see. Wow, what a difference!
To keep our eyes on heaven and our feet on earth, we need to remember Whose we are. We are daughters of a good, good Father who fashioned us lovingly and completely. Yes, He gave each of us unique characteristics, gifts, and talents, but all that we are is a reflection of His image.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” What could happen if we aligned ourselves with the works God has already prepared in advance for us to do? Talk about a job promotion!
If you are struggling to figure out who you really are, look to your Creator. Learn everything you can about Him, for you were made in His image to shine the light of His Son in a lost and dying world. What you’ll discover as you get to know your Abba Father will make all the difference in your current perspective. Your eyes will be lifted from the stuff of earth to the stuff of heaven, and your feet will be strengthened for the journey ahead.
As Paul said to the Ephesians, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (3:16-19).
In these uncertain days, know Whose you are and be held by Him as you keep your eyes on heaven and your feet on earth.
As we look forward to Jesus’ return and the eternal life we’ve been promised, let’s not forget Paul’s words to the Ephesians when he said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:13-14). This reminds us that we have already been given every spiritual blessing in Christ—here and now.
We can’t see the heavenly realm with our natural eyes, but as God opens the eyes of our hearts, we are able to see the beautiful blessings he’s already given us. Our perspective changes drastically when we realize He’s already given us everything we need for life and godliness. As 1 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
It’s not always easy to navigate this old world and all of its troubles, but when we embrace every spiritual blessing now, including the fruits of the Spirit, our entire countenance begins to change. We see things in the light of God’s love for us and the innumerable blessings He has for each of us.
When you start to feel like the woman I overheard at the public event, like things are out of control and there’s no hope in sight, remember God’s precious blessings in your life and take time to thank Him. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
There’s an old hymn my husband’s grandfather used to sing, What a Day That Will Be. In fact, he’d burst into song at the family dinner table with a smile on his face and his hands lifted high. “What a day that will be when my Jesus I will see.” I can still picture his beaming face, encouraging all of us to join him in spontaneous worship.
As things grow darker in the world around us, and negative news headlines accumulate day after day, let me encourage you to lift it all up to Jesus. Now, I know this might sound cliche, but think about it this way: If every time a trial came, we were quick to lift our hands in praise, thanking God for handling it in the way that only He can, how much more peaceful would we be?
God’s peace is everything in this journey called life. To be able to say, “He’s got this; He’s got me,” is a powerful statement. This leads us to respond to the chaos around us without getting drawn into it. Amen?
In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus said this about the end times: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Lift up your head today—your redemption is drawing near. My friends, remember you aren’t alone on this journey. We are all struggling to keep our eyes on heaven and still walk the earth with a bit of our sanity in place. However, there is a way to navigate life with the joy and peace of God’s strength. By knowing Whose we are, receiving His blessings now, and lifting up every care and concern to Jesus, we can keep our eyes on heaven and our feet on earth. I am grateful to be on this journey with you.
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