We all have dreams and plans, and it’s really good to have them. If you don’t have any dreams or plans, there maybe something wrong because most of the times those dreams are what motivate us to get out of bed. Most of us cling on those dreams so tight and we pray that one day they will become reality.

Today, as I was reading Colossians chapter 3 God challenged me (as He always does, in His compassionate and loving voice), what if clinging on those dreams made you more cynical? I asked myself  “do I love God more when He answers my dreams than when He doesn’t”? Truthfully, I am not sure of the answer; and I don’t want to think about the answer because it would probably hurt Jesus.

Here is how Colossians 3 starts “Not Carnality but Christ” 

Carnal means worldly or earthly; temporal; relating to the body or flesh; bodily. So the message here is don’t focus on earthly things but Christ alone. 

Ok, we got that!

But do we?

I mean, if I am always worried about what I will wear, what I will do today or tomorrow, am I really “setting my mind on things above”? (Colossians 3:2) I think the answer is obviously no. Bear with me while I repeat this verse so that my mind and heart may get it right this time, “Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden in God.” (Colossians 3:3) We have to set our minds on things above because if we do, we will not always get frustrated or upset if we don’t get the grades we “want” or we “think we deserve”. After all, aren’t all these things on earth temporal? That verse goes on to say that your “life is hidden in Christ.” If our lives are really hidden in Christ, why do we strive to be appreciated? Why are we bothered when people negatively talk about us? I haven’t really lived like my life is really hidden in Christ. Forgive me father that sometimes I don’t take literally your words and that I don’t live them most of the times. But God, You are sanctifying us each day, each month, and each season. Thank You Lord that each day I am looking more and more like You. Unto Your name be glory and honor forever. 

Lord, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief. Mark 9:24

Why do I fear being unknown when literally that’s what is expected of me? Colossians 3:4 says “When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.” This is amazing and breathtaking. So does this mean if I stay “hidden in Christ” I will not only appear with Him, but I will appear with Him in glory?

I don’t want to be “known”, I want to stay hidden in Christ. It may not feel “good” for now but the reward is incomparable! But the question here really is “how in the whole wide world do we make sure that we are clothed with Christ and hidden in Him’? Colossians chapter 3 verse 12 to 17 beautifully answers that!

The title here is “Character of a new man” Who wouldn’t love being a new man that the Lord is well pleased with? All verses in this chapter are really beautiful and I would encourage you to read them on your own but one verse that really stood out for me is verse 16. This verse is very important if we are serious about living as men and women of God. It says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.

Constantly meditating on His word is by far the only way to be transformed by His hands and love.

“Never grow weary of the slow, steady, growth that comes from the daily, disciplined, increasing, love affair with reading the Bible. Do not think you are getting no good from the Bible, merely because you do not see that good day by day. The greatest effects are by no means those which makes the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.” ~John Piper

Don’t get discouraged, don’t lose hope. God is molding you each and every single day into the man and woman He always wanted you to be. Glory to God!

Glory to God. Constantly meditating on His word is the only way to be alert to His voice. We can’t change ourselves no matter how hard or how long we try to. Furthermore, we are called to sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11

Lord, I pray that You may have mercy on us. Change us into the likeness of Your Son Jesus Christ. God, always show us ways to remain hidden in You, we long to be clothed with Christ. We long to please You. I pray that our hearts may always be filled with Thee. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Lord, we are beyond thankful that You hear us when we call upon Your name.

Thank You!