Above It All
September 22, 2021·Julian Webb
Colossians 3
Are you feeling: Overwhelmed? Worried? Anxious about the future? Or angry? I wouldn’t be surprised if we all could answer “Yes!” to at least one of those sentiments… It feels like now, more than ever, our focus is regularly being drawn to the negative around us. It’s everywhere around us. It’s actually quite difficult to not constantly think about all the negative things happening.
It feels like we’re living in a time where we are constantly forced to look at the negative and live in that reality. And sometimes, reality is awful… We have religious conflicts, wars, civil violence, human trafficking, political chaos, and a pandemic, just to name a few. Add to that whatever trial you and your family may be experiencing right now. In times like these, it’s only natural for us to have concerns about the present and the future. Because what we see around us doesn’t give us much hope.
In this week’s Pause Bible plan, we read Colossians 3, written by the Apostle Paul. He says:
“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 3:1-2).
It’s easy for our first response to be, “easier said, than done!” Yes, this charge is very difficult to do, especially now. But trust, Paul knew that firsthand. He went through a laundry list of horrible things that would cause anyone to be focused on the temporary moment. He lived a life of suffering. He was beaten, stoned, thrown in jail, shipwrecked (multiple times), and, ultimately murdered. So, Paul knew exactly how difficult it is for us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things. However, his words ring true all the more.
Paul goes on to say:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Family, the truth is, times may be hard. Yet, Paul reminds us that as Christ followers, we still have everything to be thankful for, and that peace is a part of our identity as believers in Christ. We have a Savior, who raised us from the death of our sin and offered us new life eternal!
In this moment, wherever we find ourselves, we have the ultimate ability to trade our worries, anxieties, angers, hurts, and fears, for a peace that surpasses all understanding and rules our hearts. Let us always remember to keep our hearts and minds set on the things above. And live in the hope of the promise that is to come. And be thankful!
Julian Webb
