Colossians 3:1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Usually, the beginning of the year comes with enthusiasm and a burning desire for change, for better. It is the time when we set goals and make our resolutions. In the recent past, vision boards have become more popular and generally accepted as the way to go (story for another day). As we set our goals and make resolutions, we should, however, strive for loftier goals – to be the kind of persons that the Bible calls us to be. That is what we will be looking at this week – some of the resolutions that we can choose to make in line with the Scriptures.
To set the tone, today we begin by resolving to be eternally minded. Paul, writing to the Colossians, appeals to their identity in his exhortation. He argues that their pursuit of heavenly things should be motivated by their heavenly position. If rephrased, this portion would read as follows:
Because you have been raised with Christ, therefore seek the things of above where Christ is, and where you now are…
Our identity demands that we are not so consumed by the cares and troubles of this world that we forget where our true home is. That is not to say that we should live as though this world doesn’t matter. However, we should do all things with an eternal perspective. The question that we should ask even as we set out our financial, career, relationship, and health goals is:
Do my resolutions have any eternal significance?
If not, we still have time to rethink and resolve differently – as citizens of a better kingdom, the heavenly one.
Reflections
1. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Would you say they have eternal value?
2. In line with today’s devotion, what do you need to do in order to be eternally minded?
