Colossians 3:12-17English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The third chapter of Colossians provides so many practical ways to live in Christ, and for Christ. In it, Paul reminds the Colossians, and us, to set our minds on "things that are above," that is, to set our minds on things of Heaven. To put our focus on things that God the Father, and Christ the Son are focused on. It is so easy to get distracted by all the things around us on this earth that desire our attention. When we choose to put our mind on eternal things, then the peace of Christ truly can rule in our hearts. If we let our minds focus on earthly things, that peace flees. 

I want to be the one who sets her mind on things of God. I want to be kind, humble, patient. I want to have a compassionate heart. In order for God to change me into this person who follows after Him, I need to seek the things that are above.

I need to be still before God. I need to be before God. I need to stop striving, and just be. 

I cannot change myself, and yet, time in His presence changes me. We need not leave His presence just because the world is rushing past us. God truly is omni-present. He is everywhere. We can find Him wherever we are. 

It is time to allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, and in our lives.

It is time to be thankful.

It is time to be in His presence.

It is time to be.

Praying that as you seek Him, time in His presence fills your heart with peace!