Taking The Sting Out Of It
Rebekah is the Events Coordinator for Gas Street Church
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIVUK) —
‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.’
Yesterday we explored the idea of the Bible as a guide on how to live our lives in pursuit of God’s calling, but how do we thrive in the process rather than just focussing on the end goal?
I don’t know about you, but I hate getting my hands dirty (and not in the metaphorical ‘getting stuck in’ sense). Every Spring when I was growing up, my mum would utter five words I dreaded: ‘Time to tackle the garden!’ and every year I would come up with any excuse not to go and help outside. I would swap other chores with my siblings, offering to do twice as much, just so I didn’t have to get my hands dirty!
But quite rightly, I couldn't get away with it and one spring some nettles needed tackling. My mum handed me a pair of gardening gloves and off I went. Once I was wearing the proper attire, I started to relax and enjoy myself! Enjoying the process comes with being prepared for the journey.
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we learn to clothe ourselves with the same qualities that Jesus did. Like the gardening gloves my mum gave me, embodying these attributes can help take the sting out of the difficulties we face on our walk with God. We’re not promised a life free of challenges, but he gives us everything we need to prepare for them. What we need will change from season to season, but whatever it is God offers it to us freely because he wants us to flourish in our journey with him.
What do you need to clothe yourself with in this current season so that you enjoy the process rather than just focussing on the end goal?
Prayer- Father God, thank you that you provide everything we need to flourish in our daily walk with you so that we can enjoy a life lived in relationship with you, trusting that you have the end goal in hand.