Go! Do!

Linda Street

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
(Colossians 3:12-13)

As we contemplate the theme for this week, we hear a very clear call to DO something. Although there is a meaningful place in the Christian journey to “pray” for those in need or to “contemplate” what might be the best course of action, this message is about DOING.  Check out the action verbs: feeding, clothing, visiting and caring. We are to move into the world as a force for good, a reflection of the hands-on work Jesus did when he walked among us. We are called as a church to “leave the building.”

In Colossians we read not only are we to DO good things, Paul directs our attitude or our temperament as we are doing. We are to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient. We are to be forgiving and bear with one another. This includes those we serve as well as our co-workers in the field—as the Lord has forgiven us.

Even more convicting is that the verse is an imperative sentence, a command. In school we were taught to put the word “you” in front of imperative sentences. You “put on then…” This verse is a personal note from God directly to each of us. he has gifted us with talents and expects us to use them.

Prayer: Father God, embolden us to move out into your world.  Help us to be sensitive to the direction of your Holy Spirit as we seek where best to use our gifts and talents in your service. Amen.