Thursday 8 February 2007

And again, we continue our movement on through the third chapter of Colossians.

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (3:15)

The life of the body of Christ is one of healing wholeness. It is a peace that goes beyond our understanding and yet it is a promise of what will be. When we are baptized in Christ, Jesus, we entered into a life through death. Part of that dying was and is a dying to the warring madness that so often serves to separate and break us apart. Even though we so often and so willingly go that warring way, we are reminded of the creative and reconciling power of the Christ who seeks to make us people who overcome our divisions rather than make for new ones or deepen old one. Probably a good first step in that journey of peace ruling among us is to be thankful for this life that is open to us. I love how we have moved through these verses and here at the end of verse 15 there is the simple reminder: be thankful. Yes, the world and our lives may be on the bring of war and brokenness but we have been called to be a part of a new body - a new reality - a new life. You and I have been called into this existence that is continually being made whole in the midst of our brokenness. Nothing can be better for us than to simply be thankful. Giving thanks to our God helps us to remember the gift given to us and the part we play in the world as that gift continues to be unfolded.

Connection: Here's something to think about - be thankful. Who knows what that will turn into as we go through the ordinary events along the way.

Blessed Lord, make us a thankful people through the power of your Spirit. There are so many times that we forget to give thanks or to even see a reason to be thankful. When we come to see how you give us this day as a gift, no matter how it goes, there is always a beginning point for our thanks and it is you promise that you abide with us. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.