What do they say about you ...

We move into the letter of Paul to the church in Colosse tonight and we learn what is said about them there:

Colossians 1:4 (New Living Translation)

4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,

I would be pretty happy if it got back to me that what people knew about me was one, my faith in Christ, and two, my love for all God's people. Think about it. It isn't about them having done some big deeds, or recognition for some works. It is not about some great elocution of the Word, some sermon preached or theory devised. These people, followers of Christ, are recognised for their stand and belief (faith) in Christ and for their display of love for all people.

And there is more. I love the fact that, even though these people are praised for this, Paul and his colleagues identify that, if they are not nurtured in this, they may not be able to continue in this practice:

Colossians 1:9-10 (New Living Translation)

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you

spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always

honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good

fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

The ability for these followers of Christ to continue in their faith and practice of love is assured by the wisdom and knowledge of God to know His will. In this way they will always be able to honour and please the Lord and produce every kind of good fruit. At the same time, growing and learning to know God better and better.

I love the image of life. I love the thought of growth. Not being stagnant or the same, but ever evolving into something better and better. It might seem strange, but I love the fact that, to some degree, we never arrive. We never fully attain. There is always something more to be gained, to be had, to be experienced in Jesus. There is no normality to life really. I hope there are people praying this prayer of Paul and his mates for me, because I want this experience too.

Here it is again from Eugene Peterson (The Message):

Colossians 1:9-10 (The Message)

9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

"Here's to going the distance..."

Copy cat ...

Do you remember growing up and someone observing what you were doing and calling you a "copy cat" because you were doing the same as someone else, imitating that other person? At other times you might have even done this to strike up a reaction, mirroring their actions to get a point across, often something annoying to you, hoping that they might also become aware of this.

Or, the other is that you observe traits in another that you want to exemplify in your own life, your behaviour, your character. I know there were things I remember of others whereby I wanted to be "just like them" for this element of their life. I think of Eric, who was so generous and would put himself out for others, especially youth whom he wanted to be influenced by the Gospel. Eric would make sure you had a ride to get to youth group or bible study or that special concert, no matter the cost to him - you know what, I wanted to be like Eric. Or Bob, who seemed to me to master the Word of God in such a way that it became alive and real and easy to comprehend - boy did I want to imitate Bob.

So how about these verses from the Scripture today:

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New Living Translation)

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and
offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:1 (The Message)

1-2Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper
behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company
with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was
not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from
us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

 

I really like The Message in bringing this alive for me. Isn't it great - "watch what God does, and then do it" - so profound yet so simple. Sit back a while and take it in, observe the acts of God around you and follow His lead. Reading further, "mostly what God does is love you" and I especially love this bit, "keep company with Him and learn a life of love". It doesn't appear that difficult when you think of it in these terms, does it? If I will only stay close to Him and allow His actions to rub off on me. Allow His act of love to infect my life and my relationships, so that I too love like this.

 

"Lord, that is what I want. Help me to stop a while, to watch You, and to take stock of Your love for me, for us. Help me to learn to reflect, imitate You in my life through this same action."

As if ...

I am reading this amazing book at present, it is not rocket science in it's content, but so profound in its simplicity, "Prayer Coach - for all who want to get off the bench and onto the praying field" by James L Nicodem. I am sure we are going to be sharing from this book over time.

Today's challenge (for me), was the thought of praying for others, "as if" I were in the same circumstance.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

I know that I have prayed for people in the past who have been suffering hard times, trials, even persecution. However, I am sure I have not thought about it to the extent of what it was really like, entering into their world, as if  it was me experiencing these things. How different my prayers might have been, and will be in the future.

How do we remember - by praying. Nicodem says, "a love for these brothers and sisters doesn't lead to praying so much as praying leads to a love for these brothers and sisters."

This is my journey, it is my desire. I want to be on the praying field, I want this to be different.