“…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1b

Ever since first memorizing Colossians 3, I have been thinking about the phrase “…set your affections [or heart] on things above….” Just what are those things?

Lately the Lord has granted a bit of insight on this question. All my life I’ve set my heart on schedules, outcomes, completion of projects and reaching of goals. Most of these are necessary and good things: getting to work on time, doing my homework and praying regularly for people.

However, there are only two possible outcomes from such a focus.  You reach the goal and experience a fleeting sense of accomplishment followed by a new emptiness that needs to be filled.  Or you don’t reach your goal and are frustrated!

Certainly, this is not the abundant life Christ spoke of. Now slowly it has become clear that I have set these good things ahead of the “things above.” And what are those? Simply put: obedience to Christ.

Setting my heart on responding like Christ, no matter what the outcome of the particular situation may be, this is setting my heart on things above. Responding with praise for whatever outcome He allows or sends. Responding to those around me with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.

In a temporal sense, whether some goal is reached or not, OUR RESPONSE  is what makes us useful for God—and, as a side benefit, brings the fulfillment that success can’t.

As Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10,11).

Picture from the internet