MONDAY: GETTING RID OF DISTRACTIONS

Aug 15, 2022
2 min read

Lord, I’d like to learn how to set my mind on heavenly things. My mind is so full of earthly distractions, I don’t know which way to turn.

Colossians 3:1-7

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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

If I set my heart on something, that’s where my heart lives until I can achieve that goal. My heart will dictate what my mind focuses on, and I won’t be able to think about much else.

If I have been raised with Christ, my heart should be set on Him—the things He desires for me to think about. After all, everything else I think about will pass away, while He remains forever. Things above are defined here as heavenly things, not earthly things.

Earthly things definitely include impure thoughts and evil desires. There are some things, however, that I just can’t help thinking about because of my selfish desires and pride. When these things take precedence in my heart over things above, they entice me to return to the life I once lived as I attempted to rule my own life.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: I think I should have learned my lesson by now. I really don’t want to worship idols, especially when that idol is myself and my selfish desires. I must do something about these lapses in judgement. There is a way out; I need to be ready to put to death whatever belongs to my earthly nature. This includes some sins the world deems respectable—especially pride and selfishness. These sins are very dangerous, since they convince me that I need to be sitting on the throne of my heart, where Jesus should be sitting. For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God. My desire is to glorify Him.

If I constantly reset my focus to “Jesus-mode,” I can truly abide in Him. This means continually worshiping the Father with praise and thanksgiving to keep my mind on things above and confessing my sins to cleanse me daily, so I can keep my mind from earthly things.

Lord, please help me to constantly put to death things of my earthly nature whenever they creep back into my life. Then I can work joyfully at setting my mind on You, so I can be thankful.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman