What if I told you there some very doable ways to make 2022 spectacular?
These ways come straight from God’s Word in Colossians 3, and once you realise that you are capable of every one of them, it becomes easy. The Word works!
- “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col. 3:12-13). You might think this is a “tall” order, but first of all, you are God’s chosen and beloved. Just think about that for a moment. Selah. And also, all the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) already resides on the inside of you—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—just like Prego spaghetti sauce, it’s in there! When you fully know this truth, it becomes easy to let them flow out of you.
- “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Col. 3:14). One translation says, “…put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” The unconditional, extravagant love of God that never fails (1 Cor. 13) lives inside you, and you can share that love with others.
- “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” (Col. 3:15). Remember the spaghetti sauce? Yep. It’s in there. Even though it may not feel like it at times, the peace that passes all understanding is inside of you. Tap into that peace by realizing how much you are loved!
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Col. 3:16). You don’t have to know the answers to everything because you know the One who does! He lives in you and will lead and guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
- “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3: 17). There is nothing that will lift you quite as quickly as gratitude. If things seem bleak, just begin to thank God for everything that’s good. If nothing seems good around you, think about what’s in you!
What’s in you isn’t spaghetti sauce, unless you had it for dinner. It is the Spirit of the Living God, along with everything that is in Him—all the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control you could ever need.
Hallelujah!