“…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2
Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?
A thermometer reflects the temperature in the environment, but a thermostat has the power to change the environment.
I like to call Colossians 3:1-2 the “thermostat verses.” When we choose to set our hearts and minds on things above, we are aligned with Christ; the challenges that try to heat us up or cool us off lose their power over us.
Having a heavenly heart-set and mind-set comes by choosing to abide in the Word. Making this a priority is a day-changer. And as each day is changed, over time you’ve changed your life—actually, you’ve allowed God to change your life.
If you want God to change your life, you begin by giving Him your heart, giving Him your mind. This submission is a daily choice. Giving Him my heart and mind yesterday is not a once-and-done. Today is a new day, and another day to choose—again—to set my heart and mind on Him.
This abiding in Him is a discipline to be cultivated. But as it becomes a way of life, it no longer looks or feels like a task to be checked off. Instead, it is more like a joy to be claimed. It becomes natural, as natural as breathing. Abiding in Him becomes not something we do, but who we are.
Three times in Revelation (1:8, 21:6, and 22:13), we read, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” God is both the first and the last. He is the beginning and the end. He created us and this world. He will have the final say and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:10-11).
We know the beginning.
We know the end.
We are living in the middle part. This is our opportunity to live out the truth we know and believe. He is Lord of all. And He is Lord of me. He is able to change my circumstances or change me as I walk through my circumstances.
Living in the middle part is time to set our hearts and set our minds on Him.
A heaven-focused heart and mind will transform our earthly walk. Are you choosing to set your heart and set your mind on Him?
In this week’s devotional video, Laura introduces our Write the WORD bookmark for February. Our topic this month is Colossians 3 and, in a departure from many of our topical bookmarks, we will be writing our way through the entire chapter, in order, during February. We hope you’ll listen as Laura introduces one of her favorite “power chapters”— a passage filled with so much truth that it merits extra focus and examination.
Don’t forget to visit our Downloads page for your copy of the Write the WORD: Colossians 3 bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, and other free resources to help you focus your heart and mind on our heavenly Father and His Word.
“A heaven-focused heart and mind will transform our earthly walk. ” Amen.