This week we continue in chapter 3 of Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (3:12)
As is always the case with those who follow Jesus, we begin with that which is true and unseen and eternal. Our beginning point for life is the God who calls us into new life. We are God's chosen ones because it is what God does. We are God's chosen ones and with that goes the descriptive words holy and beloved. There may be many days when we do not feel holy or beloved and there may be days when we look at our actions and they are any but holy and beloved. And yet, in Christ, our God makes us just as this - holy and beloved. That is at the center of the new life that is handed to us. If that is the reality in which we enter this day, then our lives are able to be opened up in a new way. We will not have to face today afraid, protected, guarded, and self-absorbed. Rather, we are able to be seen by those around us as compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Paul says it so well as he uses the image of being clothed in such character traits. These are not always traits we fit into easily when we are living a life that is turned-in-on-self. In fact when our brokenness and separation from God and one another rules us, we are too busy participating in the idolatry of self - that we cannot even think of life that is compassionate. And yet, as God's chosen, we draw from the clothing of the Reign of God. This image becomes life that is available to us whenever we dress up.
Connection: So, dress up today. Dress up in the wardrobe that is available to us for it has been given to us - a no cost and within the hope that we will boldly wear in out into this day.
When you dress us up in the clothing of your Reign, O God, our lives become a living witness to the great gift of life that you have in store for all your people. Give us the courage to dress up and live anew. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment