Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Moderation. Many people nowadays are strangers to this powerful life-principle. To be moderate is to avoid extremes – not too much and not too little. It’s having or taking enough to enjoy yet not excessive so as to destroy or to distract one from more valuable things. Passion, on the other hand, is the zealous practice or pursuit of something. When a person has passion for a goal, say to lose weight or to excel in school or in business, he or she will devote his or her best towards the achievement of the desired goal. If a person is trying to lose weight, he or she will be willing to “pass” on desirable things like ice cream of lechon so that he or she can lose weight as planned. If he or she is trying to reach high marks in school or award-winning performance in business, then he or she will consistently continue studying or working an hour or more each day when others have already stopped and shifted their energies on socialization, the internet, or other “fun” activities. In our lives as followers of Jesus and children of God, we do well to practice moderation in earthly things so we can be truly passionate in heavenly things. Why do we do this? Because our true citizenship is in heaven and we are merely aliens & strangers on this earth. So our choices and preferences are always filtered through the criteria of investing our best time, effort, & money on eternal things, while not neglecting the valid enjoyments on this earth. We see opportunities and occasions through the lense of eternity. Personally, I like and enjoy many things on this earth. I travel and eat out, engage in social media, buy & enjoy some fun & helpful gadgets, and the like. But in my heart, I know I don’t really need them to be happy or be okay. I am okay because the Father in heaven loves me and takes very good care of me. I spend my days loving my Father back and preparing for eternity that I will spend with him and those who love him. I am moderate on earthly things, but I am passionate on heavenly things. I have dedicated my best - time, money, energy, etc. – to God and his heavenly agenda. And I am happy. This, I believe, is how every Christ-follower and child of God is to live. God’s rich blessings on you and your family and ministry this week! Lathur Badoy