We continue with the first chapter of Colossians after hearing a great word of thanks for who the people have been as they live in the community of faith.
FYI - once again, this post has had trouble getting out to you today - hopefully this arrives.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:9-14)
As they continue to live in hope - which is a grand and miraculous way to embrace the day - Paul says he is continuing to pray for this community faith. It is important to remember that this life of hope and faith that takes on the face of love is not a momentary event. It is the life given to us. The most appropriate way to remain in that life is to have others who hold us up in prayer. The prayer is that this life will be deepened and consistent. It is not easy to remain as people of hope in a world that tries to frighten us into ways of of living without hope - ways that cling to power, deception, war, and status. When that creeps into our life together, the face of our God among us becomes darkened. This prayer is really one for all of us. It is filled with vision. It is a reminder of the one who has already defeated the powers that try to undo us and trick us into forgetting how beloved we are and what that love can and does do to real people in real communities. So often these kinds of passages make it seem as though the followers of Jesus are a bunch of "holy-rollers" who do nothing but pray. Well - we do pray...and we do pray for one another...but we do not need to do it in such a way that we lose our sense of being quite real and down to earth. I say that because the love and hope of the Colossians is noted because it is so real...so life giving...that it really does make life something new. So often, simple forgiveness is the active way we take part in the blessed community life. Connection: When we see those who appear to live in the midst of a love for others that demonstrates a vision of hopefulness, we would do well to pray that those folks grow in their faithfulness. It has an impact on all of us and we need to live with and alongside such people.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom and Loving Kindness, come, and lead us again into all the routines and patterns of this day so that we will see all things new. Your newness is the hope of our day. Amen.
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