Devotionals from my Bible app: Look Up (Colossians 3:1)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1, NKJV

Even I need reminders. Last decade, when I had come across this verse (after I had gotten baptized but before I had really grasped the importance of developing and maintaining a habit of reading the Bible and praying every day... I believe this was during a season when I was trying to but still falling way short) - I also had gotten this (as per my journaling that day):

I felt God pointing out to me today that I haven’t been engaging in my quiet time with Him as much lately. Probably the last few weeks. Gradually slipping out. So I’m back. Last week it was Colossians 3, specifically the verse about bearing with one another and forgiving one another [redacted] and I think God wants me to go back to that chapter (I tried searching for today’s verse on Biblegateway.com but it wouldn’t load; however a separate page with Colossians 3 was open and ready for viewing).

So, the first verse is already talking: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,” and that’s not even the full verse. I got just that far, and I heard: “and, by the way, you HAVE been raised with Christ…” I’ve been calling God “God” instead of “Dad” because I haven’t been making time to be quiet with Him. 

I believe that overall I have gotten better, especially the last few years. But I still feel like I fall way short. I find myself thinking: Lord, what else do You want me to do?? ... And then I saw the below devotional. My wife also reminded me of this recently (even unaware of this). That's how I know it's God wanting to drive home another point - when it comes up multiple times, seemingly independent of each other, but also that I know it can't just be a mere coincidence.

Look Up


It’s so normal to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.


But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:


“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
Colossians 3:1 NLT


Think about that. The realities of heaven. As you think about Paul’s words, here are four things to consider:


1. Heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.


2. There will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. Everything we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.


3. Our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that a time is coming when God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.


4. God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.


So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

Note after sharing the devotional: As for the realities of heaven, here are a few verses that I have sometimes used to help me begin to grasp this truth:

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4, NKJV

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. Revelation 21:22-26, NKJV

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5, NKJV

Prayer: God, eternal life begins the moment I choose a relationship with You. As I follow You, please help me to have an eternal mindset. When I'm tempted to only focus on what's right in front of me, help me to look up and consider the realities of heaven. Give me the wisdom to know how to prepare for eternity in my daily life. In Jesus's name, Amen.