Stress Test Devotional May 18
May 18, 2024
COLOSSIANS 1:24-29 |24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25 I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.
The original community of faith changed our ideas of identity in dramatic ways. Slaves have a fixed identity and social position, predetermined and controlled by their masters. This identity never changes or develops. But with Moses and the great revolt, a new journey begins and a new horizon beckons, for all the Israelites. They begin to move toward a new destiny and as they travel they change.
It proved easier to “get the slaves out of Egypt, then Egypt out of the slaves!” Covenant community and the exercise of reasonable freedom is a task and not a given.
But at the same time, there are great new possibilities for individual growth and with the advent of Jesus and the birth of the church they expand. Now the horizon to which we move is the renewal of all creation, and the identity being formed in us that of our Lord.
Meditate on today’s scripture from Colossians.
How is your identity evolving?
