“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1,2

The situation here in the Middle East is always interesting—whenever you think it’s going to “settle down,” to a nice norm, some new problem or emergency arises. Such situations are fertile ground for growing spiritually, and lately there has been such a “growth” in me that I can’t begin to describe it. Perhaps “breaking” is a better word than growth. Certainly, it is God working as a result of others praying for us and of our meditation on Scripture.

Very simply put, it is an application of Col. 3:1-2 (see these verses at the beginning of this devotional), with God is teaching me to set my heart on giving the kind of response Christ would give, instead first of setting my heart on getting things done. This is a commitment to do what God wants instead of what I want: a surrender to obedience.

Each disappointment then becomes the opportunity to see where I’ve set my heart on something here on earth, so I can surrender that to God and praise Him for what He’s going to do. This incremental surrender to the inner working of the Spirit brings ever-expanding results:

· Barbara says I am much easier to live with, being more relaxed and less intense.

· More gets done, probably because I have less inner tension and have insight to cut out unnecessary, time-wasting activity.

· I have more energy.

·  Things don’t get forgotten as much because my mind is clearer and the Spirit can get my attention to remind and guide me.

· The fruit of the Spirit is much more evident.

· And, as a nice side result, I’m a lot happier!

This life with Christ is really something:as He leads us down the road,  up and over the next hill, there seems to be no end to the breakthroughs He has for us as we meditate on His Word, deny self and obey Him!