What's Really Important

To have our hearts enlightened to what is really important is the work of the Spirit.

 by: BOBBY SCOTT, HEADMASTER EMERITUS

Now that you (Perimeter School families) are well into the last half of this school year, I would like to encourage you to meditate on Colossians 3, especially as things start to pick up speed this spring.

“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. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
(Colossians 3)

Focus Your Mind

According to Paul, it’s really important to have our minds and our children’s minds focused on the right thing (verses 1 and 2) - “the things above.” The meaning here is not just a desire for heaven but a pursuit of the things above that manifest themselves here on earth. So let’s say your child is playing baseball this spring. How does he focus on the “things above”?

Maybe it’s by praying for the heart of a teammate, learning to handle defeat, or experiencing pure pleasure just in playing the game. I can’t answer that for you, but if it is all about self-esteem and the win/loss record, then it is focused on “things that are on earth” (v.2). There will be no true joy in Mudville if that is your focus. You will strike out.

Focus Your Heart

Secondly, in verse 12, Paul mentions the really important issue of the heart. Several times he repeats that we don’t just have this heart, we have to “put it on.” In other places, he talks about the “eyes of our heart being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18). This enlightenment also has to do with being more attracted to Christ and the “things above” than the things of this world.

Don’t we wish that our students would be more attracted to worship than winning, to serving than surfing, or to learning than loafing? Is your child ever excited about a new truth that he learns at school, or is his joy to get home and play his games?

To have our hearts enlightened to what is really important is the work of the Spirit.

It involves teaching, but mostly praying.

Focus on Your Relationships

In verses 18-22, Paul challenges us regarding how we love and treat each other. Though this is important for all our families, marriages, and children, I think in particular about the way Perimeter School’s eighth grade students will finish this year. Some of these students have been in school together for nine straight years, which is plenty of time to see each others’ warts, find out all their annoying behaviors, and simply stop caring for one another.

Yet in many past years, God has granted Perimeter School’s eighth grade class a miraculous renewal of love from the heart for each other that makes their final year at Perimeter one where differences are appreciated and friendships are strengthened that last through high school and beyond. This happens only because the power of Christ begins to show our oldest students the maturity of knowing what is really important.

A Challenge FOR You

So where will your focus, your heart, and your friendships end up this school year? That will depend on your willingness to seek Jesus alone and glorify Him by doing the things that are really important.