“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1-4‬ ESV

There are so many things that vie for our attention and makes bids on our time. So many things that seem worthwhile for the moment, or at least they make a good run at occupying our minds. Some things are good and valid, others are necessary but difficult and others are a downright waste of effort, time and they are a burden on our conscience.

Sources of stress, relational concerns, spiritual conflicts and so many other things bring us down and weigh heavy on our hearts. We also deal daily with the internal conflict that comes with our own sin. Wrong goals, base desires and self-concocted half-truths (lies) that we struggle with, and all of these things conspire to bring us down and knock us off the path that Christ has laid out for us in His grace.

But, even in the midst of that daily struggle we call life, if we will simply stand with Christ and keep our minds and hearts focused on Him, all of the insurmountable odds that seem to stand against us will fall in front of His strength and authority. This doesn’t mean that all of our struggles magically and effortlessly go away, we must still walk past them. But in Christ, who has defeated sin and death, we have the strength to walk through these pains and burdens and not be destroyed by them. We are not promised a ‘professional detatchment’ from the world and it’s concerns. But we are assured of the path to move beyond them.

Keep your eyes focused on Christ. Keep your heart zeroed-in on His heart and footsteps and let His model stand as your guide. Seek the things that honor Him, the things that are consistent with Him and His character. Seek the things that honor God and point your heart heavenward. Pray for wisdom to see and distinguish these things from the rest of the worldly troubles that daily surround you. We have died to those old ways once we have entered into this covenant relationship with Christ, and they are no longer a part of who we are, our hearts are hidden with Him.

The indwelling of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, is our assurance that this is true. Mystery dwells within those who have been baptized into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This mystery, the presence of God in us, is not only our strength in difficult times, it is also the source of our peace. Because, once this life is over, it is this mystery that will see us home with Christ, in the grace that He has purchased for us on the cross.

Go share this peace. Go share His truth. Go live according to His ways as an example to others, and GoLove in all you do, drawing others to Him through this work He is doing in you.

We should stand in stark contrast to the world around us. The presence of the Spirit in us should make this clear.