We Get What We Seek

“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

            I was recently reminded that we will always get what we seek. This doesn’t mean that every time we seek something, we’re sure to get it. It just means that if we’re seeking one thing, we’re not likely to get another. For example, if we sacrifice family time in our search for success and money, we’re not likely to have a happy family life, whether we receive earthly success or not. Or if we seek ease and comfort, we’re not likely to find health instead. It can be very sobering to be reminded of this truth.

            What are you seeking? What is first and foremost on your mind and in your heart? According to this scripture, we are to set our minds on things above. The verse before says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God above. So setting our minds on things above is setting our minds on God. But how do we do that? Do we spend our days with our eyes closed in prayer? Please don’t do that while you’re driving! Or cooking or walking or any number of other daily activities. That’s simply not practical. Nor is it practical to read our Bibles all day, or not listen to anything but Christian podcasts. We have to think about other things once in a while!

            I think one of the ways we set our mind on things above is found in the way we think about all the daily and often mundane things we need to have on our minds every day. For example, when you think about your to-do list for the day, do you approach it with an “I can do this” attitude, or are you asking God for His power and help? If you are thinking of the day ahead with some measure of trepidation or even dread, are you stopping to praise God in the midst of it? Are you thanking Him for all He provides and for His presence in each and every situation? If the mundane tasks are done in an attitude of praise, not only will we have our mind set on things above, those tasks will suddenly cease being mundane and will become a joy!

            Another way we set our mind on things above is our treatment of others. Do we see each and every person we come in contact with as a beloved creation of God, made in His image, deserving of His love and care? I recently heard of someone who asked a sales clerk if they could pray for her and she burst into tears, admitting that her son had just committed suicide. Are we seeing an angry or obnoxious person as someone who is hurting and needs to experience the love of God?

            Of course, the only way we can do any of these things is to continually run to God ourselves. God does answer our little “arrow” prayers we shoot up throughout the day, but if that’s the only time we spend with Him, we’re going to burn ourselves out pretty quickly. We need to have our times of prayer and study of His word to strengthen us and grow us. Those arrow prayers are a little like dialing 911 to God. How much better to have Him already on the line and have the conversation already started! When we do that, the earthly things that make up our days will automatically take a back seat to the truly important matters of eternal significance.