Captivated

Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Last week was basically a week long struggle that I don't wish to repeat. The weekend was much different though. Evie and I were able to go out on a date on Saturday night and man it was needed. Even though we just went to work out and to Chuck's our favorite place to eat, it was a special night for us. Why? I was captivated by her beauty. In a very real way, I needed time away from the drain of life to appreciate her as a blessing from God. I needed to be able to talk without being interrupted, I needed to hear her without multi tasking. I needed to be with her and admire her beauty as my wife.

If I were to ask you right now : "what are you captivated by", what would be your answer? Honestly? Perhaps a better understanding of the word captive would help. It comes form captured, meaning to be held by something. So what has captured your thoughts today? What are you working so hard through this Friday to excitedly enjoy over the weekend?

As Paul says, if you are a Christian, you should seek the things that are above. You should seek Christ. Now the question for us all is are we dong that? Is the love of Christ holding you captive this moment or is he down on the list or maybe not even on it?

If he is not in the lead of your busy life today, then was the last time your thoughts were captivated by Christ? Not what Christ did for you, but Christ. Have you ever been captivated by Him?

Do not become fascinated with his gifts, be captivated by Him.....the things that are captivating you right now are the very things that stand in your way to Him. I know that life is a struggle, and I know that it is not an easy thing to do. But make no mistake about it, God desires to captivate us as we navigate intense schedules. I thank Him that I am able to experience the beautiful power of his captivating love in the middle of semi-impossible tasks and work loads. When he captures our affections, he turns the mundane in to majestic.

One of the most beautiful markers of a walk with Christ is a captivated thought life of Him alone, driven by His work on our behalf. If our thoughts are not held captive by the cross and atoned for by Him, what does that mean for us?