Refocusing Our Gaze

Scripture Invitation

Brothers and sisters, I invite you to turn your hearts and Bibles to the powerful words of Colossians 3:2.

It is here that the Holy Spirit lays the foundation for our journey into “Refocusing Our Gaze”

Bible Passage

Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2 CSB

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Introduction

Have you ever felt like the distractions of this world are pulling you away from what truly matters?

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to lose sight of our heavenly priorities.

But as believers, we are called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Colossae, a city in modern-day Turkey.

They were facing the challenges of living in a pagan society, surrounded by worldly influences and false teachings.

Sound familiar?

We too live in a world that constantly vies for our attention, trying to pull us away from our spiritual path.

But Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ, we have been raised with Him to a new life.

Our old ways of thinking and living no longer have a hold on us.

We are called to seek the things that are above.

So, how do we refocus our lives on heavenly priorities in a world full of distractions?

1. We must Renew our Minds

The first step in refocusing on heavenly priorities is to renew our minds.

"The mind is the control center for the entire body. What happens in your mind will eventually translate into what happens in your life."

Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Renewing our minds involves filling them with God's truth, meditating on His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our thoughts and attitudes.

It's about aligning our thinking with God's perspective, rather than being swayed by the world's values.

2. We need to Reset our Priorities

In the busyness of life, it's easy to get caught up in pursuing earthly goals and neglecting our spiritual growth.

But Jesus tells us, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Resetting our priorities means putting God first in every area of our lives - our time, our resources, our relationships.

It's about making a conscious choice to focus on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures.

When we align our priorities with God's will, He empowers us to live out our faith in supernatural ways.

There’s an old Jamaican proverb that says "Wha sweet a mout' (hurt) hat a belly" and it reminds us that what seems appealing in the moment may lead to negative consequences.

Resetting our priorities requires discernment and a willingness to choose long-term spiritual well-being over short-term gratification.

3. We need to Reignite our Passion

To refocus on heavenly priorities, we must reignite our passion for God.

Over time, the fire of our faith can dim due to the challenges and distractions of life.

But God calls us to fan the flames of our devotion to Him.

"The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a purpose."

When we lose sight of our God-given purpose, our passion for Him wanes.

But when we reconnect with His plan for our lives, our zeal is rekindled.

Reigniting our passion involves cultivating spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, and service.

It means surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage and challenge us in our faith.

And it requires a daily choice to pursue intimacy with God above all else.

There’s an old saying, "Payshent man ride danki." (Patient man ride donkey)

Spiritual growth is a gradual process that requires patience and perseverance.

But as we consistently seek God's presence, our passion for Him will be reignited.

Closing Brothers and sisters, the distractions of this world may be loud, but the voice of God is louder still.

He is calling us to refocus our lives on heavenly priorities, to set our minds on things above.

So I ask you today, what is distracting you from your spiritual path?

What earthly things are pulling your attention away from God's purpose for your life?

It's time to renew our minds with the truth of God's Word.

It's time to reset our priorities to align with His will.

It's time to reignite our passion for the things of God.

For when we refocus on heavenly priorities,

There is clarity in the chaos,

There is purpose in the pain,

There is hope in the hardship,

There is strength in the struggle,

There is joy in the journey,

There is peace in His presence,

There is power in His promises,

There is victory in His name!

So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, laying aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us.

For when we refocus on heavenly priorities, we will experience the abundant life that Christ came to give us.

We will find the strength to overcome every obstacle, the courage to face every challenge, and the joy to persevere through every trial.

Revive us again, O Lord!

Renew our minds,

reset our priorities,

and reignite our passion for You.

May we set our minds on things above, and live each day with eternity in view!