“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

The world is full of distractions.

Distracted by our desires

Every news story is “Breaking News!” Blaring ads demand your attention. Busy schedules crammed full of activities and events pull you away from that project or assignment you’re trying to finish. All kinds of media stream right into your home on TV or in your hand on your smartphone at every hour of day or night. Social media lures you to spend your time scrolling and responding. Distracted, you fail to get work done. You fail to pay attention. You struggle to stay focused on what’s important.

The world can be so distracting, and your sinful nature loves it. You want to spend some time with Jesus in his Word? “I’m too busy.” God grants you loving family and friends and all kinds of stuff, but there’s always something out there you need to have. As a Christian, you want to follow God’s will, but temptation turns your thoughts and desires away from his will. You want to tell others about Jesus, but fear and excuses get in the way.

Why are we so easily distracted? Consider where we set our desires and thoughts. When life is great, when we find ourselves blessed in our relationships and callings, where do we set our hearts and minds? On all the blessings we have or on the One who blessed us? What about when life isn’t so great? When life is a struggle, where do we set our hearts and minds? On how bad things are or on the One who is our help even in times of trouble? Far too often we set our hearts and minds on anything else but Christ.

Focused on our Savior

Into our distraction, the apostle Paul gets our attention with a resurrection reset. “You’ve been raised with Christ,” he tells us. “That same Jesus now sits in the position of power and authority at God’s right hand—and he does that for you. Set your desires and thoughts on him, not on earthly things. Remember that you died with him in Baptism. In Christ, you are safe whether you’re blessed or the world is crashing down around you. In fact, your life is now safely hidden with Christ, but it’s not going to stay hidden. No, when Jesus comes again—and he will—what once was hidden will be revealed, so we will appear with him in glory too.”

Even though we are surrounded by distractions of all kinds, our living Savior resets our desires and thoughts on him.

Even though we are surrounded by distractions of all kinds, our living Savior resets our desires and thoughts on him. He has to do it, because we can’t. So each day we return to our baptism. We recall how Jesus made us his own, burying our sinful natures and raising us to new life. Day after day by the power of his resurrection, we return to Christ in repentance. Then we can refocus our desires and thoughts on him. We reset our hearts and minds on Christ and look forward to the day when he will return so that we may appear with him in glory.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, when I am tempted to be distracted, set my heart and mind on you. Amen.

Author: Jeremiah Gumm
Volume 113, Number 05
Issue: May 2026