(Re) Set your Heart and Mind
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3: 1 - 4 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Message: (Re) Set your Heart and Mind
Since - status update/ reminder
This powerful message by Paul starts with the small word “since”…
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…”
Before anything else, remember who you are
You are Christians because you have been raised with Christ
Paul is reminding us that we are connected ot Jesus
It is a connection that is alive, because Christ is risen
It is not a nostalgic connection, or a sentimental connection, or a historic connection
It is a connection that is alive and active
We need to remind ourselves today that we live in a relationship with Jesus
A living and dynamic relationship that impacts our lives
Set - (Re) Set
And with this reminder, Paul says, set your hearts and minds on the things above
Let’s pause at another small word, the word “set”
Translated literally from Greek, the word means “seek”
It speaks to intention and conscious effort
When we hear this message today, the intention is for us to respond with intent, by making a conscious effort
To set or to seek is to go out and do something different
It gives you the idea of a reset or a realignment
Perhaps Paul is telling us that we need to set and reset our hearts and minds intentionally and regularly
Because our hearts and minds tend to stray or go in different directions, we need a constant reset or realignment
Things above
And Paul says that the reset needs to be a focus on the “things above”
It tells us that when we make the effort to reset, there is more to focus on than just what we think or feel
“Things above” means things outside ourselves, things beyond our intentions or perceptions… and even beyond our imagination (prayer of Ephesians 3)
It is about living our lives with the acknowledgement that there is more than just what we have in front of us…
And knowing that there is more (the things above), choosing to go there in our hearts and minds…
The Greek translation uses the word “seek”, and it says “seek where Christ is”
Because Jesus is risen and sits at the right hand of God, things above is where Jesus is
So Paul says, go and seek where Jesus is
Go out, make the effort and look for his presence in your life
Set your heart
And when Paul calls on us to focus on the things above, to seek Jesus, it is noticeable that makes the distinction between heart and mind
Set your heart on the things above
In your heart, seek Jesus
Make the effort to align your feelings with where Jesus is
And if we say that it is about a constant, intentional reset, we need to work on our feelings
When I feel alone, I need to remind myself that Jesus promised that He will be with me all the days of my life
When I feel discouraged, I need to remind myself that Jesus made me a child of God
When I feel sad, I need to remind myself that God knows my heart that the Holy Spirit is present to comfort me
When I feel I’m not heard, I need to remind myself that God hears my prayers
When I feel angry, I need to remind myself of the love of Jesus
When I feel depressed, I need to remind myself God has a purpose for my life and that I am precious to God
Set your mind
And we also need to set our minds on the things above
In your mind, seek Jesus
Make an effort to align your thoughts with where Jesus is
And in the action of constant reset, yes, we need to work on our thoughts…
When I worry about the future, I need to remind myself that God is in control and I need to seek the kingdom of God
When I am concerned about finances, I need to remind myself to trust in God
When I plan for the future, I need to keep in mind that there is a bigger picture than what I see
When I struggle with relationships, I need to remind myself of the unconditional love of Jesus and choose love in the same way
When I am skeptical, I need to remind myself that faith is about a choice to believe beyond what you can see or explain
When I have doubt, I need to remind myself that God knows my heart and that He has patience with me because He is my Father
Paul makes us aware that we intentionally need to set and reset our hearts and minds!
And the set and reset of our hearts and minds is an ongoing process - it is a spiritual practice of seeking where Jesus is
So, since we live in a relationship with Jesus, let us seek Him in our emotions and our thoughts, let us set and reset our hearts and minds on the things above!
AMEN
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