Whatever you do...
05/22/2007 01:24 PM
| Christianity
"So whatever you
do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him." (Colossians
3:17)
This verse stood out to me this morning in my brief
quiet time before Ian woke up. It comes at the end of
a chapter where Paul is lining out "rules" for holy
living. He has some good suggestions, actually: Focus
your thoughts on Christ and heavenly things. Get rid
of sinful acts. Don't let your emotions control you.
Stop always wanting more and more. Banish bitterness,
hate, and lies from your life. "Clothe" yourself with
mercy and compassion. Be patient. Forgive. Let peace
infiltrate your heart. And finally,
whatever
you do, do it for God,
with thankfulness.
It all sounds so simple, doesn't it? Do this, don't
do that. But it's more difficult to flesh out in the
day to day kind of stuff. What does it really look
like? We were discussing in our small group this past
weekend how to glorify God in the mundane, every day
occurrences. How do I glorify God when I'm stressed
out? When I'm sick? When I'm frustrated? When I've
got so much on my plate that I can hardly think
straight? I know I tend to think sometimes in those
moments, "External forces are caving in upon
me...it's just not possible to glorify God right
now." But Paul says, "whatever
you do." In everything.
In every situation. In every word and every action.
--Lisa