In the buildup to big events, there are some ways we can prepare. Let’s say you’re hosting a party; well before guests arrive, you’ll send out invitations, build a shopping list, decorate your space. Before a new baby is born, parents discuss names, set up a nursery, buy or register for necessary items.
Similarly, living in anticipation of the day to come gives us great hope, something to work toward and get excited about. This passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossians outlines what you might call our “to-do list” while we wait—practices to undertake, and qualities to “put on.”
Maybe, like me, lists are how you get things done. Without reminders in my planner or phone, I might forget everything I’m meant to pick up at the store and everywhere I’m meant to be on a given day. But admittedly, standing in front of a long list can feel daunting—especially when the contents are as important as these.
I don’t think it was Paul’s intent to overwhelm the Colossians (or us!) in setting forth these standards for living a godly life. Rather, he summarizes the point of it all in verse 17: “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Ultimately, we are called to be “Christ-centered,” to orient our life around God and His Word.
We are human; even declaring through baptism that we’re ”dead to sin, alive in Christ” doesn’t mean we will get it all perfectly right moving forward. God gave us a generous gift to help us along the way: each other! Paul reminds us of this blessing in the way he words his letter; the “you” he addresses is not each individual, but rather the collective group.
We’re a culture of list-makers, multi-taskers, résumé-builders and Pinterest-board curators. Just like that Christmas gathering you’re planning, or the out-of-town guest you’re preparing to host, it’s easy to get lost in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. Let us pray that as we journey through this season of Advent, we refocus on what kind of people we ought to be in the eyes of the Lord.
For reflection:
- What does it mean to you to “do it all in the name of Jesus”? What does that practically look like in your day today?
Nativity Building:
- Scatter some sheep figures all around the room. Let them remind you of how people are lost without the Good Shepherd, Jesus.
by Rachel Shuster
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