The inheritance of the saints in light

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing–as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

– Colossians 1:3-14

Paul loved the people he had ministered to and with. Just absolutely loved them. You can see it shine through passages like this one. He wanted nothing but the best for them, and for God to be glorified in them. He wanted them to have a walk worthy of their calling. To increase in good works. He wanted them to be strong, and to stay strong in the heat of tribulation. He prayed for them every day, for them to have endurance, and patience, and joy.

I have no wisdom to add to this. I was just touched by reading this passage tonight. I have felt this way myself, although I don’t claim to have anywhere near the passion and self-sacrifice that Paul had for his people. But I know the feeling. They aren’t your people, they are God’s people, but in a way, they are yours. You want them to grow, to be strong. To make it! To endure but not just to survive but rather to live abundantly in joy. So that one day you can sit at their feet and be challenged and exhorted by them, because they have passed you up.

I think of our own kids, and this desire for them burns in me. And they aren’t even our kids, they are God’s kids, but in a way they are ours too as he has loaned them to Jill and I for this short while. I look forward to the day when I will marvel at how far they have come in the Lord, and at how they are now leading me. And, finally, on that Day when we meet again and embrace in eternity, I will be thanking them for being shining examples and mentors to me, and not the other way around.

I have also felt this way (and still feel this way) for the band kids I was allowed to minister to for awhile. I don’t see them much anymore, but I have an inkling of how Paul felt. How I want them to grow, and to not just survive but to thrive! To pass far beyond my walk as they run in joyful faith the race God has set before them. To shine so brightly that when I meet them five or ten years from now I will have to put on shades. Lord, let it be!

. . .giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

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