A Heavenly Perspective

Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on

earth.”

You may have heard the reference of Christians as being ‘Easter People’. But what does

that mean? The short answer is that ‘Easter People’ are people who believe in the

resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But I believe the term means more than we

believe an event took place in history. I believe it is meant to describe how we live out

what we believe each and every day.

It is easy to say we believe in one thing or another. I believe that in 1776, a group of

colonists declared their independence from the British Empire. What makes us

Americans is how we live out that declaration.

But what does that have to do with being Easter People. It has to do with

perspective. Again, being Easter People is meant to describe more than what we believe,

but how that belief shapes our lives. If we believe that Jesus was resurrected from the

dead, then our lives should reflect what we believe.

The Apostle Paul touched on this several times in his writings, including today’s verse,

where he wrote “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on

earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

Paul is not saying we are to ignore the needs and hurts of those around us. Rather, he

is saying that as Christians we are meant to have a different perspective than the world.

We are meant to choose to focus our lives on the reality that Jesus has defeated

the darkness in our world once and for all. We are meant to live in such a way that the

world around us sees darkness defeated in their lives as well. Of course, bad things will

continue to happen. People will continue to get sick. Wars will continue to rage. Evil and

despair will continue to surround us.

But that doesn’t change the fact that God is still good, that Jesus is still alive, and that

we are still called to be a blessing to those around us.

I have discovered that when I focus on the things of the earth, life becomes more

difficult. But when I focus on God’s goodness and the blessings of being His child, my

entire demeanor changes. I’m not as afraid. I’m not as worried. I am a little more

patient. A little more generous. A little more grace-filled. I am a better disciple.

It is my choice. Today, I choose to set my mind on things that are above, not on the

things that are on earth. That is what it means to be Easter People.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Marty