Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
Colossians 3:1-11
New Revised Standard Version
3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Reflect
The use of “life and death” in this passage is striking. Most of us probably do not think of our daily lives in terms of life and death. Sure, there are good days and bad days. There are days when we serve God and love others better than usual, and there are days when we serve less. But life and death? That’s a little strong.
What we’re looking for is a “Kingdom Mindset”. Not looking necessarily at what is, but looking at what could be. I think we’re aware of what is right or wrong in most circumstances. I think if we had to pick we could make the most morally correct decision. I think it is a question of focus. We lose sight of the Kingdom. Our lives are hectic. It is hard to focus on the kingdom all of the time. We have lives, jobs, children, spouses, friends and all kinds of responsibilities.
It may be cliché, but Sunday sermons are often forgotten by Monday morning. Work on what you can do to eliminate some of the distractions. Focus on God’s call in your life. Look for those Kingdom opportunities. Do good whenever possible. Live in Christ.
Pray
Loving God, when we lose focus, remind of us of who you are and what you would have us do. Help us to follow your ways in every aspect of our lives. Amen.
Go with God!
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