Aim and Catch

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Colossians chapter 3 teaches us where to aim and what spirit to catch. In both cases the goal is “above” and quite frankly, “those things which are above” marks the target. Jesus taught us that as we seek we will find. If we knock on a door, it shall be opened to us. If we ask, it shall be given to us. So with the expectation of a staunch fisherman, we carefully throw our line. But in our case we have the hope born in a promise. We will find , we will receive we will catch.

Paul, in a parallel passage, teaches us about understanding a thing, and then placing our confidence in that thing. The two words used by Paul in Romans chapter 6 are “knowing” and “believing.” Paul’s next word in verse eleven is “reckon” and means “count on it.” It’s money in a bank. But one more word follows , and that word is “yield.” This word takes us one step further , into the abandoned use of that thing which we have prior known, put confidence in, and counted on fully.

In the famous movie of airplane catastrophe, Tom Hanks was marooned on a small island. In a short amount of time, Hanks learned all the resources that the Island contained. This knowledge led to a belief — he could build an escape vessel. When the final pieces for assembling his raft washed ashore from ‘who knows where,’ Hanks began to assemble his ark. Finally, in amazing self-trust, he boarded the home-made schooner. He entrusted his very life to that boat. It proved a worthy endeavor.

The illustration perhaps is weak, nevertheless, clues us into spiritual things. It is the knowledge of spiritual resources that causes us to build confidence. Our growing trust enables us to lean wholly on our discoveries in time, and these result in the undergirding of our entire future. See the story of Noah, Genesis 6-8.

The Bible gives us the building blocks for Spiritual life. Ezekiel also gives us food for thought:

“And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.  Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.  Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over”. Ezekiel 47: 3-5

The spiritual waters cover my feet — they give me a walk with God. They cover my knees — I trust God to answer prayer. Then the loins — I make decisions and make vital moves of life. Then, He carries me as I learn to throw myself on the waters.

In closing, In Luke 12:34  Jesus taught us, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” O that we would treasure those things that are above. This was Paul’s message — seek and set your affection on those things. The results take place in the heart where a man’s very existence , his total identity, finds its very source. We are then to guard the same heart because out of this heart, are the issues of life. .

Finally , as we establish the priorities of our soul in His provisions we are guided by his loving hand. Yes , place yourself in the proximity of his eternal nature, and he cares for your every need. Put your entire weight on the sphere of his influence, and he will guide your life. Love ya