Only Christ: Struggling for Strangers

“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.” (Colossians 2:1)

We’re parachuting into the middle of Paul’s letter to the Christians in a town called Colosse. He’d never been there. The church was started by someone else. But Paul cared deeply about these people.

only_350Why? Why is Paul struggling, sweating, risking his life to deliver his message to people he’s never seen, people whose stories he doesn’t know? Because that was his job, given by God. And because they needed it.

Why does the Marine go into combat for strangers back home? Why does the air traffic control guy work so hard to land those planes in the right order? Why does the nurse show such compassion for someone she’s never met?

They’ve decided their mission in life is to meet the needs of strangers by providing something needed, something essential. It was Paul’s job and our need to hear the message he’s going to deliver this week.

Think: Do you provide for the needs of strangers in any way? Why? Do any strangers provide for your needs?

Pray: Thank God for Paul’s effort to get the needed message to strangers in Christ. Thank God also for getting that message to you in this letter to the Colossians.

Do: Make a quick list of three needed things strangers have done for you that you couldn’t have likely done for yourself.