By now most of the presents for Christmas 2012 have been opened. The wrapping paper has been discarded and trash cans are filled to overflowing. Some of you might have new books to read or DVDs to watch. Some children will be a bit disappointed to have discovered that some of those packages contained socks and underwear. I have one for you. It will take a while to unwrap. It is one of those gifts that have layers of wrapping and the deeper you wade into it the more wonderful the treasure it holds. It is found in Colossians chapter 1. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through 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.”
Note that it is only one sentence. If Paul had had my high school English teacher he would have been thoroughly chastised for creating a “run-on” sentence. Didn’t Paul know about periods? Actually he didn’t.
It is a glorious sentence filled with weeks of thought. So please don’t just glance at it saying, “Okay now I read it.” That would be like walking through your town library and saying, “Okay, I’ve been there.” No, no. This sentence is like a miracle box that once you get to the box inside, you discover it is bigger than the one it came out of.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 26, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO ox 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org