“Every breath you breathe and situation you face is held perfectly in the mighty hand of God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 18, 2023
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Colossians 4:10-11, ESV
In our life with Christ, there are many times and situations in which we are to proactively go and seek out others in his name. We are to serve our church communities and sacrificially give ourselves away for the needs of our neighbors. We should actively look for the widows and orphans in our midst, meeting their needs as a tangible expression of the love and compassion of the Lord. So too should we intentionally cultivate our spiritual disciplines and practices, learning to live as faithful sons and daughters of the King.
However, we also must realize that much of the Christian life is reactive, learning to respond if and when situations arise that invite a faithful response. I think of this truth as I read Paul’s words in Colossians 4, in which he encourages the Christian community to receive and welcome Mark “if he comes to you.” In moments such as these, we cannot control what or who comes our way. What we can control is our response to these situations. Will we receive them with open arms, or will we reject them and turn away from the opportunity to love as we have been loved?
If we’re honest, I think it’s easy to receive the unexpected when the blessings and joy are immediately apparent. A surprise visit from an old friend who knocks at your door unannounced is a moment of great delight! Similarly, it’s not difficult to accept and welcome an unexpected financial bonus at work. Yet how do we respond when a crisis comes knocking at our door? Or we realize that the Lord is inviting us to sacrificially and painfully give our time, comfort, and financial resources to others as a way to lessen their load and help them through the crisis they find themselves in. Are we able to receive these moments with a similar joy?
Every breath you breathe and situation you face is held perfectly in the mighty hand of God. He is not surprised by the things that surprise you. He knows the needs of our hearts and perfectly orchestrates life’s joys and sorrows, routine rhythms and unanticipated situations, presenting them to us as invitations into transformation. Let us receive them today with joy and open our lives to whatever may come our way, welcoming it as for our good and his glory.
Prayer
Father, help us live with arms wide open to whatever comes our way, welcoming it as a gift given for our growth and continual transformation into your likeness, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
What or who may be knocking at the door of your life today that the Lord is inviting you to receive and welcome in?
Related Reading
Leviticus 19:33-34; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:8-9
Worship Resource
Maverick City Music feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore: You’re Welcome in This Place
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