"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
Colossians 1:9-11
I really like the ideas and even the emotion here. I think it is clear that this isn't just empty preaching, but that it comes through as a true desire to see other people improving and happy. And if other people were praying for us, wouldn't this be a great prayer? Or if we were praying for other people too. To know God's will, to be filled with wisdom and spiritual understanding. That's huge by itself. :) But it goes on... to be worthy, fruitful in good works, increased in the knowledge of God, strengthened unto patience. I really like that. Strengthened unto patience. I think it does take strength to be patient sometimes. The immediate is right there in front of us, and even though we know that patience is the best idea, and the long term payoff is so much better than the short term... still, it is hard to wait. It requires strength and resolve, and the ability to "sacrifice" short-term rewards for ones that last longer, and are vastly superior, but which also take longer to achieve and feel. I guess that's what leads to the "longsuffering with joyfulness" part, right? I think it is really important that it is joyful. It isn't just suffering. It is longsuffering/patience... but not with depression and regret and reluctance, but with happiness... knowing that it is totally the right thing to do, and seeing that life will be so much better this way, even if it doesn't happen immediately. It's joy... looking to God rather than to our own selfish desires for an immediate payoff. Seeing the trade-off as totally a good deal for us. :)
Today, let's expand our knowledge of God. Let's pray for others, and let's find the joy inherent in choosing God long-term over our desires for immediacy.
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
Colossians 1:9-11
I really like the ideas and even the emotion here. I think it is clear that this isn't just empty preaching, but that it comes through as a true desire to see other people improving and happy. And if other people were praying for us, wouldn't this be a great prayer? Or if we were praying for other people too. To know God's will, to be filled with wisdom and spiritual understanding. That's huge by itself. :) But it goes on... to be worthy, fruitful in good works, increased in the knowledge of God, strengthened unto patience. I really like that. Strengthened unto patience. I think it does take strength to be patient sometimes. The immediate is right there in front of us, and even though we know that patience is the best idea, and the long term payoff is so much better than the short term... still, it is hard to wait. It requires strength and resolve, and the ability to "sacrifice" short-term rewards for ones that last longer, and are vastly superior, but which also take longer to achieve and feel. I guess that's what leads to the "longsuffering with joyfulness" part, right? I think it is really important that it is joyful. It isn't just suffering. It is longsuffering/patience... but not with depression and regret and reluctance, but with happiness... knowing that it is totally the right thing to do, and seeing that life will be so much better this way, even if it doesn't happen immediately. It's joy... looking to God rather than to our own selfish desires for an immediate payoff. Seeing the trade-off as totally a good deal for us. :)
Today, let's expand our knowledge of God. Let's pray for others, and let's find the joy inherent in choosing God long-term over our desires for immediacy.
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