Challenge Central: a CBC devotional
by: Jessi Heikkinen
We have hope.
My heart has been tempted to drown in hopelessness this past week watching the world begin to turn upside down… again. I have found myself beginning to despair. I am grieving for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing immediate suffering in Ukraine today, grieving for what the future may hold for my children, grieving for the suffering of people I love in my local community, aching over all of the division in our own country.
It’s all too much to bear if I only stare at that news article, or that Facebook post, or that text message. But, then God tells us…
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” -Colossians 3:2
Because of Jesus, I can stare at that news article through the lens of things that are above.
Because of Jesus, I can read that Facebook post through the lens of things that are above.
Because of Jesus, I can read that text message through the lens of things that are above.
WE HAVE HOPE! Hallelujah!!! This isn’t all there is for us. When I hold everything in my life in the same hand with the gospel, my perspective on that thing completely changes. Nothing can be separate from the hope we have in the gospel. Relationships, health, finances, future…
Let’s ask God to do a radical work in us. May we be a church family who primarily sets our minds on things above and not primarily on things that are on earth. May we do the work that God has for us with the precious and fleeting time He has given us. May our grief push us to to be more missional than every before.
We have hope.
Heart Work:
- Write down one thing that is weighing heavy on your heart today. How does your future eternity with Jesus change the way you see that thing? Write down your answer!
- Pray that God would help you view the thing you wrote down the same way that He views it.
- Talk to a trusted friend and / or mentor about what you wrote down. Ask them to pray for you and help to hold you accountable to “set your mind on things above.”
- Memorize Colossians 3:2. Write it on a notecard, make it the wallpaper on your phone, tape it to your mirror- get creative! Ask God to help you live it!
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free”
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