Relationships
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; Colossians 1:3&4
Recently, someone I was once close to passed on from this life. On hearing about their passing, I was reminded that the quality of my life consists in the extent of my relationships. What impact am I making on the lives of others? Does it matter to anyone else in the world that I exist? Am I the kind of person that is interested in continuously making new connections with people to make a difference in what they are going through right now? Or do I just keep to my own little circle minding my own business and never reach out to others?
In today’s scripture, Paul, once again, talks about giving thanks and praying for the Colossian Christians. Even though he wasn’t with them personally, he impacted their lives by remembering to pray for them, thanking God for them and reaching out to them by sending messages of encouragement. Paul made a great impact on the world because of his calling to start churches in cities everywhere he went, but he didn’t stop there. Even after he moved on to the next city, he maintained his relationships through praying and communication. Paul’s life not only mattered to the work God was doing in the world, it mattered to the people he reached along the way. I would go as far as saying, the work God had for him to do was to connect and love people, just the way Jesus did. Paul’s mission wasn’t to merely set up churches like starting a business from town to town. His assignment was to start relationships, not only connect people to God through Jesus, but to stay connected with them as he discipled them through his example and loving them.
What about us today? Is our purpose any different that Paul’s? Sure, we may not all be out there starting new church meeting places and groups that meet, but we are adding to the church body as a whole. Our assignment is to make disciples and we do that by connecting with and loving on people that are in our everyday lives. Then when relationship end or pass, it is just another opportunity for God to share His great grace with you. When you are weak, He is strong! (2 Cor. 12:10)
Today I want to encourage you to think about the impact you are making on the world around you? Are you praying for others every day? Do you think about how you can make more of a difference in your world? Ask your Heavenly Father today to lead you to those you can pray for and encourage, then be ready to listen to that soft prompting on the inside when He does bring someone close. Decide today that you are going to make a lasting impression on the lives of others and then connect with people because you want to share the love of God with them in the way you love and care for them.
Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 1:3-8
The Daily Dose 