Subscription Lists

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:9-12 NIV

When I was a little girl I used to have the most horrible leg pains whenever I would go to bed. I can remember many nights of lying down to go to sleep only to have this unbearable throbbing in my legs that it would make sleep almost impossible. Many nights my mother would pull a chair up along side my bed and rub my legs until eventually I'd get tired and fall asleep. It got so bad my parents took me to the doctor to see if they could find anything medically wrong to explain the pain. At the time, I remember hearing the phrase "it's just growing pains."

Certainly, that explanation didn't provide me with much comfort because it didn't make the pain go away and it didn't make enduring the pain any easier. I don't recall taking anything like aspirin or Tylenol or any other over the counter medication to help me with the pain. I just remember my mom trying to comfort and soothe me until I fell asleep. I'm not sure how long this went on, but it seemed like a really long time.

I also watched a TV program when I was younger called "Growing Pains." It was a family sitcom that revolved around the Seaver family who lived on Long Island in New York. Most of the stories revolved around family issues (such as the children getting into all kinds of situations), though it often explored serious topics such as vandalism, gangs and drug use.

The phrase "growing pains" has been used to describe the pain a child experiences when growing, it's been the name of a popular TV show, and I've also seen it used often to describe someone who has not yet reached their maturity and are undergoing the pains of getting there.

I wonder if Paul knew when he said "growing in the knowledge of God" to the Colossians that it might mean some growing pains for the Colossians, as well as for you and me. I'm sure he did.

I've been going through some growing pains lately.

In the last year I've gotten married, changed jobs, had a few medical problems, struggled with some personal issues - and with each step, each challenge, each new situation, I've grown. In many cases, the growing has been painful. Especially when I want to do things in my own strength. In those cases, I often fall flat on my face. And then I find myself facing a very similar situation just right around the corner. Personally, I think God is giving me another chance to get it right. Because when I finally seek Him in the situation, it seems as though things just work out better all the way around.

Perhaps that is why Paul is praying for the people to grow in their knowledge of God - for in doing so we will know God's will, bear good fruit, have great endurance and patience and ultimately share in the inheritance of the saints.

Can you believe that?

We get to share in the inheritance of the saints!

I'm no saint... not if you define it by how I act every day. I complain, I grumble, I whine, I pout. Not exactly what I would use to describe a saint.

And yet our faith in Jesus elevates us to the level of a saint, regardless.

He loves me enough to not leave me where I am. It is His plan that I grow. And yes, sometimes it will be painful. But the benefit of knowing Him and growing closer to Him makes those "growing pains" well worth it.

Simply knowing that causes me to sing praises to the Lord.

Thank you Jesus!

Precious Father, I lift my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ up to you this day. I pray you will fill each of them with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that each of them may live a life worthy of You Lord and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that each of them may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to You, who has qualified each of us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. I ask this in the powerful name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Talents and gifts

Read Article »