On Things Above
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ––Philippians 4:8
The hidden masculine wounds that we walk around with are the emotional wounds—or maybe a specific wound—we experienced preceding the life we live today. Now a bunch of us, myself included, are “wounded warriors.” Life is a battle which starts the day we are born, and each of us reading this are fighting our own individual life battles.
In Colossians 3:1 God says to set your heart and your mind on the eternal: “Since then, you have been raised with Christ set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Why does God say you have to set your heart on things above? Because Your Vision Sets Your Values. Your heart is where you exist, it’s where your emotions and affections are. Whatever takes over your mind and emotions will then guide your vision—and that sets your values, beliefs and behaviors.
Here’s the critical piece: We are kingdom born and bred, and this life we are living in—“in-time”—is just a sliver of the eternity God has laid out for us. We “set our minds above” because if we focus on what’s below—here on this blue, wobbly planet—we will lose sight of Him. We will lose sight of His values for us. As a result, we will lose ourselves.
It’s important to know that your values and vision are the controlling agents in your life. Why? Because whatever controls your heart, your mind, and your character on the inside will then control your conduct. That’s why the Bible always says set your heart, set your mind. It’s the same intent as when Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
What do you worship? That’s the question. What sets the affections of your heart?
Father, help me set me mind on things above. I need Your eternal perspective.