Colossians 1
Were it not for the existence of 1 Timothy I think Colossians would be my favourite book of the bible. Recently I have encountered Col 1 in multiple circumstances, either using it myself in devotions or at different church services, even tonight. This section (1:9-20) covers so much and effectively summarises all that I believe. In addition, it's wonderfully encouraging.
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9And 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, 10so 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. 13He 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.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.
17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
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At the moment I'm trying to be reconciled to all that happens to and around me, and be reminded of the pre-eminence of Christ. Life is still sunny and there are many blessings but even these can be tinged by melodrama or sadness. An uncle of mine will not stay long on this earth, and we are broken for his wife, who as she is still fairly young faces many years alone. I think it must be even worse to lose someone you cared for so deeply than to not ever find a partner and live as a single person. At least then you don't really know what you're missing.
It's also almost time to give up my pursuit for knowledge, and to focus more increasingly on developing spiritual wisdom and knowledge. For too long I have let other things preoccupy my mind. Only two and a half weeks remain. What a pleasure that should be. But I must remind myself I'm not doing this for worldly reasons, but because it has long been a desire. In a way I think my faith is too simple, I need to work on developing a sincere depth to it. I am continually reminded of Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart." and surely I cannot wish for more than that.
Tranquillity is a wonderful gift, for it allows me to reflect positively.