As I was studying in Colossians, I got to chapter 4, specifically his “further instructions” section (what it’s titled in my Bible translation anyway). Just these few short verses, 2-6, had so much to glean from. I encourage you to open your own Bible and take a look at these verses and others mentioned here.
Stepping back to verse 1, it’s kind of a shot back to Ephesians 6 on how to work with others. Paul is talking in verse 1 of Colossians and in Ephesians 6 about masters and servants. I’m sure for many of us, we’ve been both (not like slaves and master, but probably a manager, a leader, an employee, a parent, a student, a child under 18 at home, etc.) at some point. From reading in both of these, I took away notes of obedience, genuineness, sincerity, and working for Christ.
What do you see in those passages of scripture?
He’s specifically talking to the Colossians starting in verse 2, but we have things to take away here, too, and be encouraged by.
High level takeaways in bullet points from me are:
- continue steadfastly in prayer
- thanksgiving / gratefulness
- pray for opportunities to share the Word
- walk in wisdom / truth – be ready – stay grounded in the Word
- make the best use of time / time management & investing in Kingdom things
Paul tells them to continue steadfastly in prayer. This is something they were already doing, but Paul encourages them here and brings up prayer multiple times.
Thankfulness is a game changer. If we start the day on a positive note – in the Word of truth or just overall gratefulness for another day – it can change the trajectory of our day.
How often do we start the day asking for opportunities to share the Word? Be the light, people! Sometimes I think it’s easier to pray give me patience, Lord which is literally asking for an opportunity to be patient… than it is to more boldly ask and boldly share the Gospel with someone. Both are opportunities to show others a light inside of us (being patient in a situation can actually be good for others), but one puts you in a more vulnerable spot to be rejected. So, when was the last time you asked for an opportunity to share the Word? And when the opportunity did arise, did you actually take advantage of it?
An important part of all this is to be grounded in His Word. We can’t expect to walk in wisdom, take opportunities, ask for said opportunities, and pray the things we need to pray for, if we don’t have a foundation of truth to lean on. We are the hands and feet of the Gospel. Through His work in us, we’re moving the Gospel places it can’t reach sitting on a shelf on pages in a book. God is working, but are we letting Him work in us to do what He’s called us to?
Which leads to the next point I took away from this section. Time management! How are we spending our time? We don’t have to be stuck in our rooms reading and praying all day every day. But those moments inside (or outside in the garden, on the porch…), spending quality alone time with God should propel us out to do the expanding of the kingdom things, like being the salt and light, being the fruits of the spirit to a decaying world. Time management is one of those skills, like many other things, you don’t (usually) just get good at. It’s an acquired skill over time that you get better at. There’s good days and bad days. Give yourself grace and take it to God when you’re unsure or convicted of where you’re spending time.
I hope you found encouragement here! Enjoy your week and I pray for your continued growth in Christ as you study His Word.
