Contentment

 

Colossians 1:13 “For God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…”

Holding the hand of a really good friend of mine whilst he was and did die I was challenged by how his life influenced others to judge less and trust more. Like most of us, he began his adult life well-intentioned but had a period of life which was not so good. However, he finished life with an outward glow revealing an inner joy and contentment. The source of his joy or contentment was expressed in character and confidence, not much in words.

Looking inside his tatty and worn Bible he had marked with a blue pen the words Colossians 1:13 “For God has rescued us…” These words form part of Paul’s prayer which in V9 says “… to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.” To understand the rescuing heart of God gives us confidence to seek Him in times of trouble.  In V10 Paul talks of “… a life worthy of the Lord.” A challenge not to articulation but demonstration of the call and gift of V12 – “give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified (rescued) you to share in the inheritance of his holy people.”  

May we live in the confident knowledge that God wills to rescue us into a life of joyful thanks worthy of Him and expressing His kingdom.