Who doesn’t want to make their life count? I believe everyone does. Regardless, if it seems many simply throw their lives to the wind, down deep, I don’t believe that is what they really wanted. There is something in all of us, whether we grab hold of it or not, that wants our lives to matter.
So, how do we do that? Look what Paul writes – “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:10-14).
Paul fervently desired that we, as God’s church, become spiritually mature. God has a plan for our lives, and those plans are good, eternal, amazing plans (Jeremiah 29:11). In the above passage, Paul tells us how to access those plans…
First, live in a way that would “please and honor the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). Paul understood the essence for character, conversation, and conduct that would be consistent with that of Jesus. The Bible tells us that we, as believers, are to be representatives of Jesus. Our lives are to be an extension of His. Though we are imperfect, we should increasingly reflect His righteousness.
Second, we are to “be filled with joy, always thanking the Father” (Colossians 1:11-12). Joy is one of the most contagious attitudes we can exhibit, as well as be caught, but I believe that joy is founded in our ability to live grateful. I say it often, we have more to be thankful for than anything we do not.
My friend, too much of activity, this side of heaven, stems from a desire to please self or others. The fact is, all that truly matters is what’s done in obedience to our Father. Jesus spoke often about the importance of bearing much fruit, which is only possible when we stay connected to Him (John 15:5).
Please hear this, whether we pray these verses for ourselves or for others, we can be well-assured that our requests will always remain in accordance with His will, as we do.
