God's Order

Colossians 3:1-4  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.


Seek the things that are above. Life is tough for us on this earth. We are busy with work and family, and even church. Life gets filled up with one activity and then another. Our attention goes from task to task or relationship to task to relationship. Time gets used up and our focus is here in earthly matters. I don't know how many people tell how stressed out their life is, or how tired they are. Parents who go from soccer to lax with kids in tow and running through McDonalds for supper on the way from one to the other. It is so easy to be consumed by earthly concerns. 


St. Paul says seek the things that are above which sounds similar to Jesus saying seek first the kingdom of God. It is challenging to discipline ourselves in a busy life, but challenging does not mean we can forget about it. Remember that disciple and discipline seem something alike. According to Paul it is linked to where you set your mind. It amazes me that when I set my mind on Jesus and seek his will, life slows down and makes sense. I find the strength to say yes to what I should approve and no to the things that would over do it, or draw me from God. 


I lacked discipline in my life when I was younger, and found it amazing that I found self discipline during the busiest time in my life. God was at the center of my life and I was without stress and wasn't tired even when life should have overwhelmed me. With my mind centered on things above the earthly priorities fell into line smoothly and easily. God's order works.