Inspiring Work

Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: Colossians 1:28-29 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.

Observation: Paul speaks as if he is preparing everyone for a graduation ceremony of sorts.

Application: I was watching a little online presentation this morning related to building businesses. Whenever I watch or read about such things, I’m always trying to find applicable insights that might appropriately be applied to the church. This particular speaker, who had long since outgrown a need for more money, was now focusing on making sure his businesses had real meaning. He no longer promotes or sells anything unless he is fully convinced that it will make people’s lives better, that it will lead them closer to where they want to be in life rather than further away. And he wants people to feel like he gives them so much value for their money that they walk away feeling like they actually owe him much more than they’ve ever paid.

With that in the back of my mind while reading today’s lessons, I’m struck by Paul’s keen interest in presenting people mature in Christ. He wants to make it abundantly clear that Christ is the one that they are to serve and that Christ is absolutely worth serving. Paul wants people to feel like they are given so much value through Christ, that they will always owe Christ more. Not in the sense of guilt, but in the sense of thanksgiving, of gratefulness, of the honor of being able to be of some form of service to the One who has rescued us from without and from within.

What’s more, verse 29 makes it clear that even the energy for the toil and—get this—struggle of this pursuit is inspired by Christ himself. Paul too believes that he has received far more value than he has ever paid for monetarily or, actually, with his life. He’s that inspired!

I think of teachers who present their students for graduation. I think of coaches who present their players competition. I think of drill sergeants who present their soldiers rank advancement. I think of 12-step program sponsors who present their sponsoree (sp?) for continued sobriety. And most importantly, I think of pastors and other mentors of faith who present those under their influence before Christ for entrance into the eternal kingdom. It’s pretty inspiring work when we take the time to think about it.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for our respective callings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: 1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 15-16, Colossians 1)