“being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;” (Colossians 1:11, ESV) The road stretches out long and challenging before each of us. The opportunities to fall on our faces in spiritual calamity are around us every day. We need to be strong and powerful – but not our strength but God’s strength. When we are weak, he is strong. For as long as we are strong, then he is weak. It is at the moment of recognizing that we can do nothing apart from the Lord that we rest in him and find our true strength – Jesus. Following the steep, winding, narrow path of Christlikeness is a lifelong process and never gets easy. So, we need to persevere, to endure the daily challenges. Not just to endure but to do so patiently and joyfully. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN OUR STRENGTH! If we are to endure with patience and joy it will be because we have come to know the battle is the Lord’s and ours is to trust in him and obey him – looking always to Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith. Amen.
