“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV) |
 Source: Be a Beginner | Emily P. Freeman (proverbs31.org) Excerpt: Remember Jesus is not only your King and your Friend, your Savior and your Shepherd. He is also the smartest man who ever lived. You may not know how to navigate this new beginning, but He does. With Him by your side, you have everything you need. Our key verse reminds us of who we are and how God has given us all we need to be all we need to be: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12, emphasis added). Being God’s people means that we, whether beginners or experts, are to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient. Embrace this unique time of being a beginner. Let Him teach you what is right, what to say and how to think. There will come a time when this new beginning will not be new anymore, and you may not feel the need for Him in this area as you do now. So let this new role teach you what it has to teach you. Let it form you into the likeness of Christ. Let yourself be a beginner and receive all the gifts beginning has to give. Oh God, we confess our longings to be the smartest people in the room. Reveal to us the true fear hiding beneath the surface. We are afraid of not having the answers, of looking like fools, of being beginners. As we fall from the crumbling wall of our own reputation, status and ability, we trust that You are the solid ground beneath our tired feet. As we face those who have doubted us, remind us how You stand in front of us, behind us, beside us and within us. When we look for courage elsewhere, remind us to turn to You instead. You have all the gumption and moxie we could possibly need. We accept our smallness in Your presence. Replace our shame with laughter, and our doubt with love. Teach us to begin again with joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. [more...] |