The Power of Real Life Connections

Colossians 1:9-12

9 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 willthrough all the wisdom and
understanding that the Spirit gives,10 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,
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great
endurance and patience, 12 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.

My friends... one of the greatest gifts we have in this life are those people who love us and know how to
bring the best out of us. Have you realized that the Lord of this entire world created you to be the focus
of his eternal, powerful, and life-giving compassion? There is no one greater than Jesus who has the ability
to see you and your potential. Paul said in Colossians 1:12 that, "he has qualified you to share in the inheritance
of his holy people in the kingdom of light." This means that we are just at the start of an everlasting relationship
that defines our worth and shows us the true meaning of community. I've been reading a book called, You Are
What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit. In it, James K.A. Smith asks... "What if more than we are thinkers,
we are lovers. And what if who and what we love — more than what we know or can articulate — is who we
actually are? And what if the greatest need you have in your Christian life isn’t to find your next four Bible studies
to attend or avoid, but it is to put on virtues through the imitation of people you know who follow and love Jesus
as they live life in the Kingdom of God practicing day in and out — longing to become more like Jesus?" We have
been living in a time where connecting with others has been strained. Beyond the physical barrier of living in a
Covid world, we have the cultural roadblocks of individualism, busyness, perfection, and privacy that hinder
relationships. Then there is the emotional barriers of shame, feelings of inadequacy, and past wounds that
hold us back. It will continue to take courage for us to be willing to walk with each other through the highs
and lows and the joys and disappointments that this life brings us. This Sunday we will learn about the power
of real life connections and how God uses those to shape us!

Grateful for you,

John