Colossians 1:24-27
“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Years ago Joyce and I traveled to a town over an hour away from us. There was a couple who lived there who had once been in a Bible class I taught. For us it was just for a pleasant visit, but God had a different plan. This couple had been praying for God’s direction, and they felt we were an answer to their prayer.
God is the blessed controller of all things! Do we really believe that? I fear that in most cases we behave according to our own purposes. It is only when we come to the end of ourselves that we finally seek God’s plan and purpose.
Let’s face it . . . the ways of God are a mystery to us. We can search His Word and spend time in prayer, yet we still question how He works. In some instances we may never be able to see God’s plan and purpose.
Paul was a man who had experienced much suffering in his life. In spite of this he came to realize that everything that happened to him had a purpose. The true mystery of godliness is that Christ lives in us and that is the hope of glory!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil