Set Your Affections

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on thing above, not on things on the earth.

I remember one time earlier in my life when I had my heart set on buying a certain little convertible sports car. Obviously it was a long time ago, because it only had two seats, very small seats too, I might add. I finally got that car and was I ever on cloud nine. It was so much fun to take the top down and to cruise the streets. That little car was my pride and joy, I kept it spit shined and as clean as a whistle.

Aside from the great joy that it brought me, I also learned an important lesson from that car. You know, it wasn’t too long after I got it, that it got its first little ding, someone opened a door and bumped it. Then a while later, someone sat on the hood and made a scratch. As the years and miles went by, more and more of the effects of time and life took their toll. Mechele and I got married and it became the “second” car. Not long after that, I was so glad to have someone take it off my hands for $800.00.

What had happened? Why did I lose my love for and joy in that little car? The reason, it fell apart, the tires got worn, the paint lost its gloss, the engine started using oil and it just wasn’t what it used to be. The hard, cold facts became reality, things of this world are temporal, they will soon fade away, and are in fact, doing so as you read this devotion.

Why all the wordiness and bother over this matter? It all goes to further emphasize what the Bible tells us. Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth where they will decay, rust and pass away. We must make our treasures the things that are eternal. The reason so many are not excited about the things of God is that the heart, or affections go to where the treasure is. If temporal things are your treasure, then your affection will be on these temporary things and you will not experience real fulfillment, as these things are passing away. Set your affections on things that will last, things that cannot be taken away from you, things of God.