Aligning Our Priorities with Heaven

Aligning our priorities with heaven is essential for consecrating our lives to Jesus. By focusing on heavenly priorities, we direct our attention away from worldly distractions and pursue a life that honors God. Colossians 3:1-15 and Philippians 4:4-9 can help us understand this concept and guide us in aligning our priorities with Heaven.

Colossians 3:1-15 teaches us to set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This verse encourages us to shift our focus away from earthly concerns and fix our attention on heavenly values. When our minds are oriented towards heavenly things, it becomes easier to consecrate our lives to Jesus. We will see the world from God’s perspective, valuing eternal things over temporary desires. This mindset helps us prioritize our relationship with Jesus and live to reflect His teachings and character.

Philippians 4:4-9 complements this idea by emphasizing the importance of rejoicing in the Lord and focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude and joy, we align our thoughts with heaven. This passage encourages us to replace anxiety and worry with prayer and thanksgiving, trusting that God is in control. When our minds are fixed on heavenly principles, we naturally seek to align our priorities with God’s will.

Living like our minds are focused on things above means consistently evaluating our choices and actions in light of God’s Word and principles. It involves seeking His guidance through prayer, studying the Scriptures and cultivating a personal relationship with Him. As our connection deepens with God, our desires align with His and our priorities shift to reflect His values.

To align our priorities with Heaven while honoring God on earth, we must first surrender our lives to Jesus. This involves acknowledging Him as our Lord and Savior and inviting Him to lead us in all areas of life. As we daily seek His presence, we grow in understanding and wisdom. We can then discern between the temporary allure of worldly pursuits and the eternal significance of heavenly priorities.

Practical steps to align our priorities with heaven include: 1. Regularly studying and meditating on the Scriptures to gain insight into God’s priorities; 2. Developing a consistent prayer life to seek God’s guidance and surrendering our plans to Him; 3. Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage and challenge us in our walk with Christ; 4. Engaging in acts of service and selflessness that reflect God’s love and compassion; 5. Being mindful of the choices we make, ensuring they align with our heavenly values; 6. Cultivating a heart of gratitude and praise, finding joy in the Lord’s presence and provision; 7. Guarding our minds against negative influences and filling them with things that are true, noble and praiseworthy; 8. Practicing forgiveness, reconciliation and love to others, mirroring Christ’s example.

By aligning our priorities with heaven, we honor God on earth and become instruments of His grace and love. Our lives become a testimony of His transformative power, drawing others to experience the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with God’s purposes.

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By Lee-Roy Chacon

President