Colossians 1:9-14
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
ESV
I live in Newark, Delaware (pronounced New-Ark for those of you who are not from here). It’s a beautiful place, and if you’re from here, one of the things that you see everywhere is Canadian geese. It’s cool to see all the new hatchlings in the spring, but it’s not too long before these hatchlings grow up. One of the interesting things that happens occasionally is that the parents of these hatchlings will lead them on a journey to another pond. Usually, this requires the flock to walk across a busy roadway or even a highway. Everyone here knows that this happens, and it’s not uncommon for cars to stop and wait for these little families to waddle across the road. When this happens, I’ve noticed that the parents of these hatchlings are very cautious when they lead their hatchlings across the road. The one in front takes its time to inch out into the road slowly, bobbing its head left and right to make sure that traffic is stopping before the young ones begin to cross. The parent in the back does the same thing, but it also looks back to make sure that no one is left behind. I know for some, it’s an annoying delay in their travel, but I enjoy watching it happen.
In many ways, our passage today is like this, with Paul being the mother goose for this new church in Colossae. The passage is amazingly thick with purpose as Paul prays for the Colossian believers. Paul prays, asking for several things for these new believers: that they are growing in knowledge and understanding, able to walk in Christ, living lives worthy of their relationship with Him, living in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, bearing fruit, strengthened in power and giving thanks to the Father for His love and grace with them.
Immediately the focus is on Christ alone and Paul is challenging the believers to live into and live out their relationship with Jesus in everything that they do. Perhaps a good way to put it would be to be “consumed” with Christ.
In fact, this is what Paul is praying about for the Colossian believers. They are off to a good start, but Paul wants more for them. Paul wants them to thrive as the Gospel is thriving.
What I love is that Paul can and does write to encourage their faith but more importantly notice that this is Paul’s prayer for the believers in Colossae. Paul may not be with the church in person because of his imprisonment but Paul can pray, and he knows that the Lord is with them and working this amazing transformation in their lives.
That’s a great reminder and encouragement for us regarding prayer.
Who are you praying for like this? Paul was praying for these believers to grow, mature, and thrive in their faith. Is there someone that you are praying this prayer for, that they may grow up in Christ?
I also find the passage challenging personally as I consider my own walk with the Lord. How can I press on and know the Lord more and more, growing in gratitude and love for all that the Lord has done for me, for us? We thrive when we pursue our relationship with Jesus and put ourselves in those places and spaces where we are being filled. It’s in silence and in solitude that we grow in knowledge and are strengthened in power as we give thanks to the Father. All that implies a relationship in two ways: one, with other believers who will help us live lives worthy, who will help us grow and be strengthened in our faith, and two, and perhaps most importantly, deliberately spending time with Jesus each and every day, centering our lives on Him and His will for us.
Do that, and you will thrive!
God bless you, and know that YOU are constantly in my prayers.
Scott