So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.  Colossians 3:1-3 HCSB

When we are unsaved, our lives are all about what is down here.  So, what is down here?  Sinful, wicked, evil people, corruption in our politics, horrible, unspeakable crimes being committed are just some of the things we see in the news.  It’s not pretty, it’s actually really scary if you think about it.  I choose not to think about it too much.  I mean don’t get me wrong, I don’t go around with my head in the sand.  I am just saying that I don’t dwell on the things of the world, for several reasons.  One reason is that I am just passing through.  This is not my home.  Another reason is that the devil uses all these horrible things going on in the world today as distractions.  In Nehemiah 6:3, Nehemiah sends this message, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down.  Why should work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”  You see there were those that were trying to stop Nehemiah from rebuilding the wall and were scheming to harm him.  He refused to be distracted.

God had called Nehemiah to rebuild the wall. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans for a hope and a future.  Psalm 16:11 tells us, God makes known to us the path of life, He fills us with joy in His presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  God has good plans for us, but we must look up.  Our home is in heaven with our father, this is where we are meant to be. We are meant to do our work down here, finish our jobs, and go for our eternal rest in our home with God our Father. We are not meant to go to hell.  Our former pastor said that if we go to hell, we go as trespassers.  So why look down if you are headed up?  When you are driving on the Interstate do you keep your head turned around looking at where you have been?  I hope not.  I hope that you are looking forward to where you are headed.

So, keep your minds focused on those things that are above.  Look to your heavenly Father for guidance.  When you are climbing that mountain, don’t look down.

When you look up, you can see the wonders of God. We can see His majesty in a beautiful blue sky with white puffy clouds. We can see His majesty in the moon and the stars. These are the things on which we should focus.  These are the things that we are to set our minds on.  We are to focus on the good things, the promises of God.

Now some of you will read this and think this is crazy talk.  Some of you are scanning four or five different news channels while you have the internet up so that you don’t miss a thing.  Some of you think that I am nuts to not be worried about what is going on in the world around me. Why should I worry when God is in control?  Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  I am standing on the safe and secure platform of my life and love with Christ.  No need to worry, right?  God’s got this!

I serve a God who makes it so that I don’t have to worry.  I just have to focus on Him and do what He needs me to do.  When I focus on God and the things above, and let God handle those things that may cause me worry and concern, my life goes much better.

When I was unsaved, my focus was on the things here on earth.  I wasted a lot of time worrying.  But since I have dedicated my life to Christ, I trust Him.  I am focused on the things above.  This is where my mind is set.  The politicians don’t control the universe.  God does. God is and always will be in control.

If you are reading this and want a life filled with peace. Draw near to God.  Don’t live another day of your life focused on the mess that is called planet Earth.

If you have accepted Christ as your savior, then, remember you have been raised with the Messiah. Just as our scripture passage says, you are hidden in the Messiah.  We are tucked safely in His loving arms.  Enjoy the safety and security that you have there and focus on the things above.  This life is a journey, you should be enjoying the trip!

Have a great day!