“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven …” (Colossians 3:1)
The need for us as humans to seek after something is a reality which is seen around us; felt within us; and evidenced by neuroscience. Our quest to seek answers, to learn new and better things can often leave us feeling like our lives will always be halfway full, like we haven’t quite arrived yet … and leave us saying the words from one of my generation’s anthems, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
And it’s biblical. In Colossians 3:1 we are called to such searching: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, SET your sights on the realities of heaven …”.
That word SET means to “seek after, look for, or strive to find.” The scriptures are full of examples of this STRIVING for people, places, things, and conditions. So, don’t give up seeking, but rather, this verse tells us to adjust our search away from this world and instead SET our sights on heaven. Whenever we focus on the things of this world as the fulfillment to our souls, we will remain deeply unsatisfied.
So how do we “set our sights on the realities of heaven?” We need to stare straight into the physical realities of this world and into the realities of heaven. As one small example, consider wealth. From a worldly perspective, there are certainly ways that we measure wealth through bottom line figures, signs of achievements, and keys that open doors to better living. Yet, the reality of a heavenly perspective clearly shows that striving for worldly wealth is temporal. As the phrase says, “You can’t take it with you.”
Instead, being rich in love, righteousness, sobriety, truth, and hope is a daily investment which will have eternal dividends.
Most importantly when we set our sights on heaven we see Jesus! Listen one more time to that verse in Colossians — “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, SET your sights on the realities of heaven, WHERE CHRIST SITS in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Colossians 3:1).
So what are you seeking after today? This is Discipleship! SET your eyes on Jesus, follow Him, be changed by Him, and commit to His mission.
Prayer
Lord, let me always set my sight on You! Let my spirit soar with Your love and mercy. Let my spirit then reach out to those around me, showing others what promises You give freely! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
