I have family in from out of town who arrived after the prayer meeting Sunday night, which explains my absence from both Monday night and the blog here. So this is a few days after the fact, and if you were with us this past weekend, you’re already halfway through your week and there’s a chance it has all faded into the past for you, but I wanted to take a minute to reflect on our time together (for both those who joined us and those who didn’t). Here’s some of my thoughts, a couple days removed:
- It is always good to be together. There’s just no substitute for Christians gathering together physically, in the same place, to look into each other’s eyes and hear each other’s voices. There’s no substitute for eating and singing together. There’s no substitute for studying the word together. What a great time. Hebrews 10:24-25 anyone? Matthew 18:20?
- The Word of God is our best guide. I’d never done anything exactly like this before, and one of the best parts of the experience for me was discovering what it felt like to be led through a weekend by Paul (so to speak), and through him, by the Holy Spirit. So, what we were talking about, thinking about, and feeling as we went along was totally directed by what section of Colossians we were in. Through His word, God guided us through the weekend. That experience of a sustained time of being under the word, together, was so edifying for me. Did anyone else notice this?
- There are such powerful truths in Colossians. Isn’t it a great letter? Isn’t it so applicable to our times?
- The things we need are in the Word. Life is busy and confusing. It is easy to forget the most basic things. And one thing we always need to remember is this facet of how God has built the universe: He has created a written message which contains everything we need to know for our soul’s wholeness, and through it He reveals Himself. So whatever we might think we need, the truth is, when we give ourselves time to really encounter Him in His word, we find out that He has it all, and that He gives Himself to us in His word. Or, as Paul says in Colossians: “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…and you are complete in Him!”
- We have a great group with lots of potential. If I could get personal here for a moment, I’m really excited about the part of our church I’m getting to serve with right now (aka–you guys). When I think about those of us that were there this weekend, and then think further still about all of you that didn’t come, I get freshly excited to be part of this all with you. We live in intense times, and we (the young adults fellowship) are perfectly situated in so many ways to affect the world we live in. The summer ahead seems rife with possibility for us. The things that were happening through the word this weekend can only bear good fruit. Let’s continue to yield ourselves to God and see what He’ll do in, among, and through us!
I’d love to hear your responses, and any lasting thing you’ve taken away from the weekend. And I’m already looking forward to next Monday night and returning to looking at Christ’s lordship over our whole lives. See you!
I shared a little bit about this Sunday morning, but I would like to elaborate as it really taken ahold of my heart. As I reflected on Paul’s imprisonment and considered the tone and content of the letter I felt like my eyes were opened to our purpose here on earth. I’ve been drifting through life for a while now, growing very tired and impatient with how routine the daily motions feel. This weekend it’s as if something woke up inside of me. This is not our home. I am not defined by my life in this world. I serve a higher purpose. And as Paul demonstrates – our present circumstances do not change any of this. Those ideas aren’t entirely new to me, but they hit me in a new and powerful way. With a fresh sense of purpose, I have a new excitement about digging into God’s word, prayer, and fellowship. Praise the Lord!
Great thoughts Mike…I love how the Word of God changes our vision!
Big.
Meditate on Scripture.
Change your life.
My affections were intensified and enlarged for the Kingdom throughout the weekend. As Mike said, God met many of us this weekend to reveal more of who he is, what he has done, and how we should respond in kind. It’s such an incredible 4-chapter letter that requires some time to unpack it’s richness. I began to realize just how deep the gold mine really is and how there’s still more treasure to discover. Incredible.
Deceit and the basic principles of the world are readily available everywhere however, the abundant life is found by those who seek first the kingdom.
We tasted. He is good.
Here’s a comment Geanine meerbach emailed me: “Colossians is a constant reminder to put on the new man, continue to put off the old man of Adam. Jesus is love which our armor to fight against sins temptation of idolatry. His Love strengthens us to push on. Love is diligence In prayer . Paul teaches how to pray n be thankful for faith and our changed lives; ask for 1) understand gods will 2) gain spiritual wisdom 3) please and honor god 4) bear good fruit 5) grow in the knowledge of god 6) be filled with gods strength 7) endurance n patience 8) stay full of Christs joy 9) always give thanks. We have to be watchful, established and firm In all He does cuz He in all. We can apply these tools by grace and seasoned salt. When the pressure of the old mans sin confuses you, Gods peace is always there to instill focus and clarity. When your heart is Hardened by the ways of our old sin pets, god is there softening our heart as we draw closer to him in word and spirit. When ur path tends to veer, due to this fast faced word, god is there holding your hand at his pace in His plan. God is our main priority, our trust, our rest, our all. He is the one that will call us beautiful/handsome. He will provide, so dont fret just trust the mystery Faith. He brought us back to life, we are worth it and purposeful just be obedient.”