FOCUS AND FORMATION

"For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News."

Colossians 1:4–5

Faith and love.

Paul commends the Colossians for this expression of worship. But from the way Paul writes, it seems this isn’t something they just naturally excel at. It’s not about a special gifting, unique wiring, or a particular anointing. Their faith and love are produced from a confident hope in what God has reserved for them in heaven.

Here’s the truth I’ve come to discover: whatever holds your focus determines your formation. Nothing confident happens by accident. It takes intention, practice, and consistent devotion to hope like this and bear this kind of fruit—faith in Christ and love for others.

These people were empowered and shaped by the eternal promise of God, not by the fleeting, perishable promises of this life. If faith and love are to flow freely in us, our hope and confidence must be anchored beyond the here and now.

What a beautiful tension to live in. We are here and now, yet also seated in heavenly places.

I pray for us today, like the people commended in this verse, that who we are and what we express in this world would be directly influenced by a steady focus on the hope of heaven. I pray that as we look to Jesus today, we would also see how He looks at us. And may the joy in His eyes light up our lives and release His love.