Gloriously Spent

11/9/2020

Colossians 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ…”

Paul was perhaps the most powerful servant of the Gospel of Christ. He was fully sold out to his mission, and although he suffered greatly for it, he never wavered. He was the picture of what Chambers describes in today’s study: “The Christian worker has to be a sacramental ‘go-between,’ to be so identified with his Lord and the reality of His Redemption that He can continually bring His creating life through him.” It is never me who impacts another, it is ALWAYS Jesus in me. In verses 28 & 29, Paul writes, “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

When I offer myself to Christ and am open to His leading, He will provide all I need for others. His power will work through me in a mighty way. On the other side of such (often intense) interactions, I may indeed be exhausted, but I am spent for the Cross of Christ and His purpose in my life. There is no more humbling and blessed feeling than being totally poured out proclaiming Jesus.

It is never about me, only Jesus.