Things Above

Scripture – Colossians 3:1-4: ¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Christ raises and expands my vision of life. It’s so easy to focus on day to day concerns. That leads me to walk through life looking down – watching only where my next step will take me. That really narrows my whole perspective on life. I soon find myself focusing primarily on myself and the immediate things around me. Christ calls me to look up – to set my heart and mind on things above. He calls me to look around beyond my needs and see the wider vision of the world and humankind.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will lift up my heart and mind today. I will look from the wider perspective of the Kingdom. From environmental concerns to economic and political agendas, I’ll look above and beyond today’s plans.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, I’m sorry I keep my head down so much. It seems a lot easier to manage just my day to day affairs. Yet you have called me and lifted me to live on a higher plain. Open my eyes and let me see whatever you intend for me to see. Show me how you would have me live as I look above this day.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting tomorrow morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.

Tomorrow’s Reading – Sunday, September 30, 2007

Colossians 3:5-8: ⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.