Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Jesus Christ Who Restores


Col 3:1-11  “…Set your hearts on things above…”

When was the last time you looked at the stars? 

We are all busy people – spending much more time looking down at our phones or across at our friends, family, or computer screens.  I imagine that most of us rarely take much time to go outside at night and really spend some time gazing at the stars. 
What’s so amazing about stars?  Here are some fun facts. 
Every star you can see is actually brighter than our sun which is our closest star.  Every one is actually MUCH brighter – they are just much further away and appear like that little twinkling dot in the sky. 
Other stars are so far away from our planet, that it takes millions of years for a star’s light to reach our eyes. That means the stars you are seeing today are actually stars from long ago. Looking at the night sky is like looking back in time 100,000 years!
Once I look out and ponder these things, I always go back to life feeling different. My problems are not the biggest things in the world.  The universe is HUGE and God is even Bigger – having created it all.  Isn’t it so amazing that God would make, see and know all the stars and all of time, and yet still know me and my needs!  Looking up gives me some perspective! 
This passage is about just that.  Colossians 3:1 says “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  This Word is reminding us to think of Christ – He who is MUCH bigger, much more awesome and powerful, much more loving and kind than anyone or anything we have ever known.  When we set our eyes and our hearts on that loving, powerful, resurrected Savior and Friend, our earthly worries and heartaches can be put in perspective.  It is not that we then forget about our world, but that we see it in a different light. We gain the courage to change, the hope to keep going, the capacity to love better, and the excitement for things to come when Christ reigns as King.  
Let’s spend some time today to gain some perspective. Get out and look at the stars. Set your hearts on the Maker – and be changed. 

                                Prayer
 Thank you Lord, for reminding us who You are.  Help us to see our lives from YOUR perspective – ‘as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.’ (Col 3:12). 

                             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
    The heavens declare God's Glory  and the scriptures declare His grace
                                    Betsy Mathew
                                    Epiphany MTC

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