“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful….be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2,5,6)
Dear Christ-followers, how are we representing Christ to the world around us? How are we representing Christ to other believers and to those who have yet to accept Christ? Are our conversations ALWAYS full of grace? Or are they only sprinkled with marginal grace while the rest is so full of “know it all ignorance and judgement”?
We may be the only living example of Christ that others might see…no pressure or anything, but what kind of example are we setting? Are we consistent in our testimony of Him and in the ways that we conduct ourselves? If you are anything like me you too struggle with these consistencies. I am not trying to make us feel guilty today, but let me go a step further; how is your prayer life?
Prayer is Vital!
The very first words of the section of Colossians speaks of devoting our lives to prayer. Prayer is THAT important! We shouldn’t view prayer as our last resort but our primary weapon and the source of strength and endurance in this life. The word “Devote” implies a deep commitment, something that becomes our sole focus just as we become devoted to our spouse in a lifetime commitment to marriage. Becoming devoted to prayer is a serious commitment, not a part time job! Prayer shouldn’t be treated flippantly! Either we are committed to prayer or we aren’t. Prayer is our lifeline to God. It is our source of hope, restoration, and renewal of strength for the journey that we are on.
Wrapping it up:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we still have our struggles. We still endure hardships of many kinds. Yet may we be devoted together in prayer for one another, and coupled with that, may we also be full of grace and seasoned so that our consistency of testimony and action be an accurate representation of the One who has taken up residence within us through Salvation by the shedding of His blood. Do not quit this fight or grow weary of one another! Stay in this fight! Work side by side with each other even when we share differences. For just as Christ prayed that His disciples would be united, He too prays this for us as well!
-Just a thought for us today!
Pastor's Ponderings 