Where's Your Head Pointed?

When I was in middle school, my best friend had a brother, Christopher, who was four years younger than us. He would often tag along and could be very annoying, but one thing I remember about him always brings a smile to my face. If we spotted something interesting, like a Great Dane in the park, and started talking about it, Christopher would begin to whine, “Where is it?” We would point, but if he still couldn't see it, he would tell us, “Point my head!” We would then physically turn his head until he spotted the topic of our conversation.

It's an amusing memory, but it's actually an illustration of an important principle in our adult life. Where we point our heads—that is, what we choose to focus our minds on—determines the reality we live in daily.

Think for a moment: Where has your head been pointed this past week? If you focused on the news, your mind is probably full of thoughts about the possibility of an Ebola pandemic or World War III beginning in the Middle East, a new Cold War with Russia, wildfires raging out of control in the Northwest or the impact of two hurricanes currently bearing down on Hawaii. These thoughts can leave you feeling overwhelmed and out of control, for there are no easy answers, no quick fixes for these problems.

As Christians, we are commanded to remember that we are citizens of another realm, a heavenly one (Philippians 3:20). Like ambassadors, we dwell in a foreign country, but we represent our home, the Kingdom of God, to those who are not yet heavenly citizens. Therefore, it is important for us to keep our heads pointed to the things that are taking place in God's Kingdom. Colossians 3:2 urges us, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things of the earth.”

I like the way The Message interprets Colossians 3:2: “Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on in Christ—that's where the action is. See things from His perspective.”

We can't accurately represent God's Kingdom if we are unaware of what is happening there. For example, did you know that Christianity is advancing more rapidly today than at any other time in history? Cities, and even nations, are being transformed as people groups embrace Christ and the good news of His Kingdom. Indonesia, the most Muslim country in the world, is converting to Christianity at an unprecedented rate. Currently 35 percent of the population is Christian.

Incredible signs and wonders are occurring around the world, especially in places that are not open to free expression of the gospel. Everywhere God's Kingdom is advancing. This week at HRock Church, we are hosting our annual LeaderShift Conference. We bring together leaders from Harvest International Ministries (HIM), our worldwide apostolic network, and they are informing us about what is happening in God's Kingdom around the world.

For the next few weeks, I will be sharing conference highlights and discussing the implications of what God is telling us as citizens of His Kingdom. Get your head pointed in the right direction! Join me in discovering how God is moving now and what your role is in His expanding Kingdom.

Please join us this Sunday at both of our services. We will have two special guest speakers, Steve Springer at 9:30 a.m. and Bruce Lindley at 11:30 a.m.