Mona Selden writes daily devotions for her church, Marion Baptist, in south-central Virginia. She is co-host with her pastor on The Mosaic of Marion podcast. Her writing and teaching are done with the desire to help others get to know God better through His Word. Her blog, Filled to Overflowing, combines her passion for photography and writing. Mona’s husband is USAF Retired. They are enjoying their nearly empty nest with a married daughter and a son in college.
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. – Colossians 3:1-2, ESV
We breathed a sigh of relief when the calendar turned over from 2020 to 2021. But our problems didn’t go away. In fact, in some ways, they got worse. Now we have moved into February, and we can’t help but be hopeful that the days ahead will be better than what has been. Unfortunately, according to the news, the headlines, and social media, hope seems slim.
As we move through 2021, we need to make sure our minds are not set on the bad news of this world today. We need to make sure we are not focused on the divisiveness and the problems that seem to overwhelm us. Our focus, our mindset, is to be on the things of God. When we seek the heavenly things, we are striving for them. That is where we put our focus. It is a continual thing. We keep on seeking, no matter what is going on in the world around us. When we set our minds on the things that are above, we are concentrating on them. That is where our devotion lies.
The contrast is made between the things that are above and the things that are on earth. You cannot keep your focus on both. Be assured, though, that when your mind is set on the things above, then you will have a proper response to the things of this world. You have probably heard the age-old saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” The truth is, in order to do any earthly good, we must be heavenly minded. We must have our minds set on heaven. Our responses to the headlines ought to be rooted in the things of heaven and the hope that we have because of it. If we aren’t heavenly minded, then we will get bogged down with the cares of this world and end up in despair.
We seek the things above, and we set our minds on those things so that we can have the right perspective and the right response. That then allows us to point others to Jesus and the hope that He gives. We are able to help turn others’ eyes away from the despair and despondency that can come from watching the evening news or reading another’s divisive opinion.
Consider today where your focus is. Ask God to show you how to stay informed but not focused on the things of this world. Ask Him to cause you to continuously seek after the things of heaven.