Colossians 3:1-4 — Keep Your Head in the Clouds
I am guessing that most of us would not like to be labeled as living with our heads in the clouds. It does not sound like a compliment.
On the other hand, I think we would embrace the idea of living for a vision—a larger goal—especially when that aim is noble.
The one—head in the clouds—is a state of mind that communicates a lack of focus. The other—living for a vision—is an attitude that orders your energy.
The one—head in the clouds—can mean you are somehow disconnected from the real world, possibly out of touch. The other—living for a vision—implies quite the opposite. You have a firm grasp of your situation and you are driving hard to change it.
Which describes me? Which describes you? Can you be both?
Consider the opening of the passage we read today. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Have you ever met a follower of Jesus who has their mind set on things above? I have. In each case, they communicate that the world really does not have a hold on them. And I have met a few who seem to almost have their heads…not in the clouds, but in heaven. I don’t mean to use that phrase in a negative way. When you talk with them they are content in their circumstances. They seem unfazed by what they do not possess.
Can I just “call myself out”—can I just tell you that I, have at times, judged them? I will find myself thinking, “Well that is all well and good for them, but I have responsibilities.” My reaction is not born from a good place. Maybe it’s jealousy.
But consider the Scripture. It is meant to challenge. I too often rush past these first 4 verses to get to the To-Don’t List.
Verses 3 and 4 describe this idea a bit differently. They say that because we have died, and are in Jesus, Jesus will emerge. Maybe what I’m about to say is weird, but consider multiple personalities. One personality is the old David, and the other is the new David (the one who has his mind set on the things above).
The Scripture is suggesting that the old David has died.
Now I am not saying that somehow I am going to walk around as a space-cadet. My personality, etc. will most likely be the same. Yet, in Christ, the world will have less of a hold on me…with the goal of it having no hold on me!