Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8)

Question: When have you finally reached the pinnacle in life? When are you "there?" We have people in various fields who are experts in their respective area of knowledge. I've met educators who are experts. I've met political analysts who have expertise in local, state or federal politics. I've met leadership and management gurus. I've met people who are well-respected for their work in areas like history, culture and faith.

Stephen Covey, one man I met, wrote on his observations on "highly effective people," and I made learning his material a passion for a number of years. As I think back on it, one thing missing hit me as I read through these passages this week is "humility." A true leader or expert never feels as though they are there, that they know it all and there's nothing left to learn. He or she doesn't achieve and say, "I'm on the penthouse floor now, so I'm done achieving. No more learning needed on my account."

One of the most powerful "aha's" in my life was post-career as I was beginning a new one, when the coach asked, "Where do you want to be in life?" He went on to explain that money and career are all tools meant to achieve life's aspirations.

"I want to be a man of faith who can give to worthy causes that help others fulfill their aspirations." How do you plan to do that? "By finding a career that gives me the ability to focus on faith, family, community, giving, learning, and joy." That would be a conversation to have with yourself and with those you disciple. Those are aspirations.

Paul is talking about life aspirations to the people in the church at Colossae. "Walk in Christ. Grow in faith and mature. Watch out for earthly philosophies or teaching that look great but offer little."

If the world had shiny objects in Paul's time that could distract, the distractions today are even shinier and more numerous. Paul is giving a warning as he speaks truth. David was giving a warning in his psalm this week about haughty v humble. Peter gives a similar warning as well in 1 Peter 5:6-9:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

That's a prayer fitting for Colossae, for Peter's audience and for today. It's why we invest in our youth, and take time to invest in our own faith through prayer, devotion, study and worship.

Pray we focus on Christ in all we do. Pray for guidance and wisdom when it comes to bright, shiny objects. Pray for focus and for the Spirit to lead us back to Christ when an earthly philosophy starts guiding us away.