If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

One great comfort we have as Christians is that God is always with us. God promises that He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrew 13:5). The final words in the Gospel of Matthew have Jesus saying, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (28:20). These are fabulous promises, yet we are commanded to seek His face/presence (I Chronicles 16:11; Jeremiah 29:13; Isaiah 55:6). Jesus tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

There are times when God seems distant, silent, not present. God does not change. When He seems distant it is we who have focused our mind on things of the earth. In some cases, we allow sin to take our focus in the forms of addiction, lust, gossip, bitterness, etc. Sometimes we become distracted by the worry and fail to seek God’s kingdom first. Other times we become distracted by other things: sports, movies, politics, and video games, which are not evil but draw our attention away from “things above.” It is easy to lose sight of God in the midst of living on earth.

Therefore, we are constantly reminded to “seek those things which are above.” Or as Paul writes to the Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, think about these things.” Paul understands that we can easily lose sight of the things of God and that it takes a conscious effort to constantly keep our minds on the things of God.

Paul goes on to say that our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) and that we no longer live but Christ lives in us. Seeking God and His kingdom is actually seeking our true life. The true life that only exists in Christ.

God is near. Seeking requires effort on our part. Our work as Christians, and a church body, is to consistently turn our minds to the things above, to the Kingdom of God, where we will find God.

Reflection: What things in your life are distracting you from realizing God’s presence in your life? What effort are we putting forth in listening to God’s voice to further His kingdom?