Look Up (YouVersion Daily Refresh, 9-10-25)

It’s normal—and even understandable—to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. We’re preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something that’s beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, as you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

– First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

– Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

– Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

– Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

My Thoughts

It’s hard to keep our focus on heaven and God, and sometimes are harder than others. I have found, however, that the more I focus on the things of God, the less the reality of earth and all of its problems bother me. Yes, I may have a broken foot. I will find out next week when I go to the specialist. Yes, it hurts, but when my focus is on God, I think instead of all of the others in the world who are hurting so much more than I am. I don’t have all that I want in life, but I do have all that I need. And for that I am thankful. I am counting my blessings even when it’s somewhat easier and more apparent to count my troubles. God is the King of heaven and one day I will be with Him forever. All of these health issues and financial strain will no longer matter. They are all temporary, but life with God is forever. So, as I struggle with challenges in my daily life, I choose to look up and know that this is not my real home. It’s my temporary abode until God calls me home. Won’t you look up with me today?