Colossians 1:11-14

“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience…” vs. 11

In the greeting of his letter to the congregation in Colossae the apostle prayed that they would have both strength and patience, two qualities that have been important for followers of Jesus in every time and place…and are now crucial in our own. All of us are plagued by a sense of impotence in different stages of our lives. Challenges come at us from every direction; each day seems to bring unwelcome surprises. As we struggle to cope, our inadequacies and weaknesses are exposed and we ultimately realize that on our own we cannot overcome. In those moments the gospel reminds us that we are not alone, that there is ever-present strength in the power of God. There is, of course, no way that we can understand this, and to a skeptic these are only words.. but it really is the truth. There is power in the universe beyond our own will…and that power can sustain us in our weakness. And more than this, that same power brings enduring patience for the future. The same God who has given us the strength for this day will be present for us tomorrow…and for all the tomorrows beyond. No matter how bad we may feel, no matter how weak…we are going to be okay.

Thought for the Day: What is giving me joy today?