Colossians 2:6-7 Endure in Christ

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Col 2:6–7.
 
This last week has been a game-changer. Government guidelines and orders surrounding the COVID-19 crisis have intensified and often include the word “indefinitely.” Our endurance is being tested.
 
The Apostle Paul knew struggle and suffering. He suffered in the flesh for his devotion to the gospel and suffered in his heart for churches attacked by false teachers. He knew of the work of Christ as a work of endurance. He knew that the church felt this burden, too. That is the context of Colossians 2:6-7. Paul tells struggling and enduring saints, “The struggle is real, difficult, and long. So, walk in Christ.” 
 
Even as we struggle to endure this virus and the programs put in place to slow its spread, we must see this as our greatest calling: to walk in Christ. Our ultimate concern should not be, “Will we get sick or die?” “Will we make it financially?” or “Will we survive social isolation?” Our ultimate concern must be to endure, come what may, in our walk with Jesus. Today is the day to resolve in your mind and heart to do just that. 
 
Will I stay rooted in Him? Yes. I will find my hope and my joy in Christ. Will I seek to be built up in Him? Yes. I will use what time I have to grow in the knowledge of Christ, love for Christ, and obedience to Christ. Will I remain firm in the faith taught in God’s Word? Yes. I will trust in Christ and His grace above all. Will I give thanks to Him? Yes. I will give thanks at all times!
 
My prayer for you today is that your life, even today, will follow the trajectory of Psalm 13:
 
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? 
  How long will you hide your face from me? 
How long must I take counsel in my soul 
  and have sorrow in my heart all the day? 
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; 
  light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” 
  lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; 
  my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 
I will sing to the LORD, 
  because he has dealt bountifully with me. 
 
In Christ,
 
Pastor Don