2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 KJV
It’s not unusual to hear of people vowing to make life-altering changes at the start of a new year. This cultural practice of making what we have coined, resolutions, happens all around us. Talk of commitments to health, greater wealth, higher education, and sometimes improving relationships.
From an objective standpoint, the Oxford dictionary defines resolution as a firm decision to do or not to do something. So, we are basically promising ourselves that we will act contrary to former behavior.
How is it that we are able to evaluate a full year’s worth of behavior over the course of a mere few hours (or minutes) to intentionally script our movements throughout the next year? When you pause to think about it, it’s quite daunting.
In years past, I’ve been one to do just that. Alongside many of my friends, I, too, have made such promises ~ too few of which I actually kept beyond the first ninety days. This year will be intentionally different.
As I have been journaling my journey, I have had the opportunity to go back through all those pages and reflect on the very words written on them. The emotions and descriptions of the sounds and activity swirling around each entry have the amazing power to allow me to ‘relive’ some of those scenes in my head. Some of which I choose to not repeat ~ lesson learned. And yet, memories like these serve to remind me of the nearness of my Savior.
And that is precisely where I am parking this vehicle. As close to Jesus as I can possibly get.
The Scripture verse above in the King James translation uses the word affection. Many other translations use the phrase set your mind. When we think of affection, it’s with passionate desire ~ that is where our hearts take us. Setting our mind is a willful act to focus on something.
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT
Rather than make promises that come from my meager evaluation and subjective examination of my life and behavioral tendencies, I am choosing to grow and go with my relationship building with my Savior. And in so doing, my desire to learn more about Him will land me in a place of better understanding me.
And this will not merely be a one and done commitment. It is (and has been) a life learning continuum ~ a faith-filled daily walk with Jesus (isn’t that what we’re called to do as Believers?) that will lead me as I do life here on earth, this side of Paradise. He reveals and speaks into me where I need to change (and I must set my mind to follow through on even the unpleasant things). My obedience is chosen and deliberately done in love (not robotic or routine).
And you want to hear something amazing? It’s freeing! Because I don’t have the daunting task of trying to figure out all the details ~ I can confidently trust the One Who has my best interests at heart.
It is a lifestyle that I have been developing without realizing it. Now, that I am fully aware that it works in my favor, I will be fully intentional. Relationships require that. To be present in body, mind, and spirit. And this is a relationship that is of the highest priority.
Set your heart on things above ♥️.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 