“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” — Colossians 3:2.
I’ve sat with this verse since March 11th — and wow, opportunities have continuously come up to allow me to practice . . . opportunities that cause me to shake the etch-a-sketch-that-is-my-brain and say to myself, “Ashlee, STOP. This is an earthly matter. Let. It. Go.”
I definitely haven’t mastered it, but I’m enjoying and appreciating how often God has brought it to mind for me to ponder — over and over and over again.
The previous verses (in chapter two) talk about dismissing the judgment and evaluations from others, paired with “the wrong reasons for self-denial.” As my Bible notes state, “In chapter three, he [Paul] explains true Christian behavior — putting on the new self… and regarding the earthly nature as dead. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live within us, so that He can shape us into what we should be.”
God cares about what we think about! To “set” our minds on things above requires focus — concentration. It means to direct our understanding, attitude, and will with “deliberate purpose and relative stability.” Our intentions and the things we ponder are not to be wishy-washy; “it means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning” (Richison).
In regard to the value we place on others’ assessments of us, Philippians 2:5 says, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ.”
Do you know what mindset Jesus had?
He didn’t care what people thought. Caring about others’ perceptions would have deterred Him from His purpose.
Guess what?
It does the same to you and me.
God grants us freedom but calls us to choose thoughts of Him — of things from Him. He calls us to “a bird’s eye view.” We’re called to observe, lasso, and redirect each thought toward Him.
My thoughts are prone to wander — especially toward earthly matters — but with intentionality and by abiding in Him, calling upon His name, and keeping “my eyes locked on the king,” I can create a mind, a head space, that rests (and stands!) on “things above” — on the things that matter, on “the big picture,” on the good stuff, on all of His provisions, and on creating an attitude like His, knowing my life is “hidden” in Him (Colossians 3:3).
* * * * *
Father, my life is hidden in You. Help me, God, to remember what that means. I am safe. Victory’s already been won. You have a place for me. I don’t have to worry about trivial matters, including others’ perceptions or evaluations. To accomplish the purpose You’ve set for me, I must set my mind on things above — on Your perception and evaluation of me, and of all things — and keep it focused there.
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