Connected in The Word 7-29-25 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
My youngest son attended the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans last week (Big thanks to Angie our DCE for making this possible). I began to reflect on when I attended the same event in New Orleans 33 years ago. It was a great trip despite losing my wallet in a taxi on the first day. However, even that turned out well in the end. On the second to last day of the trip I crossed paths with the same taxi driver who had given me a ride from the airport. He had found the wallet and kept it safe. After giving him some cash to say thank you, I immediately got to work paying back others I had borrowed money from over the last few days. I still had time on the last day of the trip to spend money on some yummy food and souvenirs.
What does my Youth Gathering wallet story have to do with the verses above? The moment I received my wallet – Everything Changed! I no longer had to worry about getting a new driver’s license when I got home. I was no longer a slave to borrowing money from others just to eat. I was set free from my feelings of shame and inadequacy. The last two days of the Youth gathering were nothing like the first three.
In the waters of Baptism, I died and rose with Christ! When Christ got a hold of me everything changed. I no longer need to live like someone held hostage by my sin and shame. God has forgiven my sins and filled me up with His Gifts. I get to use those gifts on beautiful things, holy things, and things that glorify God and help my neighbor. God has done more than just give me a wallet full of cash – He has given me eternal life in Christ! Setting your mind on “things above” doesn’t mean living life with your head in the clouds. It means using your mind the way it was originally designed to be used!