For what things do
I work hard,
to what end do I toil?
Do I throw away my
energy
on temporary things that spoil?
Paul labored unto
weariness
that men might walk with Christ,
And God empowered
him mightily
to lead a worthwhile life.
Lord help me use
the gifts You’ve given
to encourage and to teach.
Empower me to
share Your word
and many people to reach.
“Him we preach and proclaim,
warning and admonishing every
one
and instructing every one in all wisdom,
[in comprehensive
insight into the ways
and purposes of God],
that we may present every person
mature –
full-grown, fully initiated, complete and perfect –
in
Christ, the Anointed One.
For this I labor [unto weariness],
striving with all the superhuman energy
which He so mightily enkindles
and works within me.”
Colossians 1:28-29 (Amplified Version)
kŏpiaō2872 – to feel
fatigue; by impl. to work hard: - (bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
dunamis1411 – force (lit.
or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. A miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily,
-y, -y deed_, (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty
(wonderful) work.
As
I was reflecting on the verses above, I was reminded of a singles’ fellowship I
attended years ago when I was in my twenties. A part of the evening was a photo
scavenger hunt. I was assigned to lead a team of young men from a Central
American country because I was the only person there who knew a little bit of
Spanish. The reason they were here was
that they each needed surgery for war injuries. All of them were disabled. One
was missing a foot, and we were supposed to drive and run around town taking
pictures of specific landmarks and people.
When we got
in the car, the leader of the three young men pointed to the camera I handed
him and asked, “¿Por qué?” In a
combination of Spanish and English I explained what we were doing. His response was to shrug and say to his
buddies, “Americans! Too much time on hands!” I had to agree as I began feeling
very silly. This man was younger than me and was an officer in their rebel
army. He had undergone incredible pain and loss to defend his home. He left
behind a family terrorized by their own government’s military.
We waste an
incredible amount of time. Not that we shouldn’t do fun things, but the time we
spend pursuing entertainment far outweighs the time we spend doing something of
value to the God’s kingdom. I tried to “redeem the time” by sharing Christ with
these young soldiers. On New Year’s Eve as these same men prayed with us, the
officer prayed in Spanish. I translated his prayer for our group, “Our dear
Father, I pray for peace for all the world and that my mother would not have to
live in a hut in the mud any more. Thank You, Sir. Amen.”
Lord, I thank you for the freedom I enjoy
and ability to spend time at leisure. Help me to use my time wisely and pursue
the lasting joy of leading others into a deeper relationship with you. Let my
actions as well as my words be a testimony to your power to change lives. Grant
me your mighty power to serve you more effectively.
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