Are You focused On Things Above or Things Below?

Are You focused On Things Above or Things Below?

            I can remember a time when I wanted to get my drives license SO BADLY, I could only focus on that.  Nothing at the time seemed to matter.  I can even remember studying so hard for that day that I would obtain my freedom and be able to drive a car.  I still have the anacronym memorized from that very time: I.P.D.E (Identify, predict decide & execute).  Do you still remember going over that as you prepared for your exam and driving test?  I find it, remorseful at times, that we spend so much time on certain things in our lives while other things go unattended to.  I remember spending so much time daydreaming about that magical day of passing my driving test, I fell behind in my other classes.  So, if we look at our lives, intentionally look, we will see that our time and our talents are spent on things that distract us in this life, rather than giving us a more balanced, and focused life right now. 

                        The Bible instructs us in the book of Colossians, chapter 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. The idea behind this passage is for us to embrace our citizenship, and that of course, is not on this earth.  Our time is so limited, and being distracted will greatly steal from us what time we do have here.  The Apostle Paul is illustrating for us the greater need to embrace the “NEW YOU”, this newness is intended to illuminate the distractions we have, and to refocus our minds.  After all, when we leave this world, shouldn’t we be prepared for what is to come?  Just as I spent so much of my time and energy focused on that one driving test, I was preparing myself for things to come, and that was driving.  The time I spent focused on that test was just a small preparation for the life of driving that I was and still am, living.  Daydreaming about driving does not prepare for you the road ahead. 

 Think, for a moment, just how much richer our lives would be if we submitted daily to a more balanced and direct walk with Christ.  Without a doubt our lives would seem to be more meaningful, more purpose filled, and more peaceful.  This level of submission and obedience comes with a stipulation.  The stipulation is, we must be more intentional at spending time with God.  How can we come to know His will if we never speak to Him?  Just as the prophet Jeremiah writes in chapter 6:16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths,  where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

This “Newness” that we, as believers, must be living is meant to give us peace and rest.  If we spend our time wisely, then as any good traveler, we are seeking the best way to reach our destination.  The destination, after we pass from this earth, is where our focus should be.  Our time, our talents, and our treasures should reflect where our focus is.  Are you focused on things above, or on things below? 

This is a new year, and we serve a God who gives us a sense of newness, if only we could stop being so distracted.  Will you allow distractions to further you down a path that looks like a hamster running on a wheel, or will you use this time of “Newness” to direct your path?