Read: Colossians 1:9-14
Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy . . . (v. 11)
Hurricane season in Florida spans June through November. From December through May, there is little threat of devastating storms. It’s easy to forget the past hurricane season if we had minor or no damage. We become lackadaisical; installing hurricane impact resistant windows or trimming our 40-foot oak tree now look like expensive niceties. But this is the time to make improvements and keep up maintenance to prepare for the next hurricane season.
Our lives also go through times when things are calm. School is fine, jobs are good, family is healthy. It’s easy to languish and not pursue spiritual growth. We become spiritually lackadaisical. Mustering up the self-discipline to take time out of our day to build our relationship with the Lord becomes a chore. But this causes us to miss out on the joy, love, and peace that God wants to shower on us, and we find ourselves more tired, irritable, and dull.
God lovingly invites us into intimate, life-giving relationship with him. As we seek God, discovering more about who he is, what he has done for us, and who we are in his eyes, we realize more the immensity and intensity of his love, mercy, and care. As Paul instructs, this realization strengthens and builds us by God’s power (Col. 1:11). We then experience more patience and joy and are prepared to endure storms that come our way.
As you pray, seek to know God more, that he may build you up with his power, for all endurance and patience with joy.
About the Author
Donna M. Harold is retired from a career in accounting and consulting and lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and two cats. She serves as treasurer for her church, creates and facilitates Bible studies, and enjoys writing, mosaicking, and quilting.
