Rooted - Growth
The beginning of the year offers us the opportunity to stop and reflect on where we have been and where we are going. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae he begins by affirming where they have been though his expression of thankfulness for what he has heard regarding their faith in Christ Jesus and of the love they have for all God’s people. He then expresses, through his continual prayer for these followers of Jesus, his hope for where the Holy Spirit might take them in the future. It is a prayer I am sure he would also speak over you if he heard of your faith in Christ and loved of God’s people.
May your meditation on Paul’s prayer and openness to what the Holy Spirit might want to speak to you through it enable you to embrace these words as ones which are also spoken over you. May your prayerful reflection produce thankfulness for where you have been, and vision for where you are going in this New Year.
Meditation - Take a few moments to slowly read the following passages over several times. Let each reading help focus your heart and mind on the word or thought which stands out to you. Ask yourself: What might the Holy Spirit desire to speak to me from this passage and how does my heart react to what I hear?
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:9-14
Exploration - Take the balance of the hour to consider with God in prayer the following prompts. Do not rush. Allow the space necessary to listen for the still small voice of God. Do not feel like you have to complete every prompt. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to the places He would desire to explore with you. Talk to him about what you discover as you follow him into these places.
Recently, what has the Spirit been revealing to you regarding God’s will?
Where can thankfulness be expressed for how your life pleases the Lord and reflect his worthiness?
What fruit do you see the Spirit producing through your life, relationships, and ministry?
Are there any areas of your life which are unworthy of your life in Christ or which prevent you from being fruitful? Take the risk of talking honestly with God about these things?
Where might you need to grow in knowledge or be strengthened by the Spirit?
What would it mean for you to fully embrace your identity as one who has been qualified to share in your inheritance with God’s holy people? What, if anything, keeps you from walking in this reality?
In light of Paul’s prayer, and your prayerful reflection, what one intention might you embrace for the New Year?
Ending Your Time – Take a few moments to write out your own prayer which expresses your thankfulness for where you have been, and which asks God for what you might need from him in order to know his will, live a life worthy of your calling, and grow in knowledge, strength, and the ability to walk in light of your identity. Close your times by setting in silence for a few moments. Allow the love and strength of the God of endurance to wash over you.
