Today, people will join together to cheer on the Broncos or the Seahawks to a Super Bowl history. I care about football an estimated zero amounts of caring juice measurement units, but I do love me some junk food! And, since I feel like I have to make a decision, I will join my wonderful husband to cheer on the Broncos. But, if you don’t want the Broncos to win, I will still hug your neck. Cuz, like I said, I care zero amounts of caring juice units.
Today is also day two of the #iheartBible challenge that I’m hosting. If you have joined up, horay! I’m glad you’re here. If you want to join up, then awesomesauce. Check out the challenge post for details and join in on the linky so we can all read one another’s posts during the challenge. I noticed that one blogger seems to have started a new blog just for the challenge! Wahoo! I love Jesus and blogging, so I’m glad to see people joining in. We’d love to have you join, too.
Today’s verse is Colossians 3.23. It is below in its context:
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
I find it interesting that this verse, so often quoted, is in the context of a handful of commands made by Paul to the people of Colossae. He commands wives to submit to their husbands, husbands to love and be gentle with their wives, children to always obey their parents, fathers to avoid provoking their children, and slaves to obey the earthly masters in their hearts.
Then, wham-o! He covers all the bases to everyone: Whatever-the-heck-you’re-doing, do it with all your might, keeping in mind that you work for the Lord and not for men.
Bam!
Off the top of my head, I’m not sure what was going on in Colossae when Paul wrote this to him, but, as a 21st-century woman in a workplace, a marriage, and in a family, I can see how this message is so universal.
It can be difficult to respect others, to follow the order of things and to respect those who you are both in authority over and under your authority.
And this concept is simple.
But, like my husband says, “simple isn’t always easy.”
When our husbands make a decision we don’t like, we must still submit to Him as we would to the Lord. When our parents give us instructions we [unmarried folk] must obey. When our bosses give us instruction, we must follow them. When those we are in charge of struggle, we must encourage them instead of provoke them.
But what about evil people?
We can only control ourselves, right? So, aside from breaking God’s commands, we should follow whoever is over us and respect and love the ones He has put us in charge of.
This is one of those tough things we must do. Or, perhaps, it’s the plethora of tough stuff we have to do all the time.
What do you think?
Lovingly,
