Challenge Accepted

“Because really bearing with someone is not just about loving them through the various seasons of life, but loving them despite their individual weaknesses.”

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13 CSB

When I read these verses, I get all the feels. Like that first sip of coffee, in a quiet house. The truth of Paul’s statement warms my soul and renews my spirit. I am chosen. I am dearly loved. 

The feels just continue as Paul reminds us to “put on” the Christ-like virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, some of the very same characteristics he uses to describe the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. 

So, most mornings, as I’m starting my day, that is my prayer. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me, work in me, to help me embody these qualities, and live them out. With that, I hit the ground running. Getting ready, making breakfast, packing lunches, finding socks, loading up bookbags, morning hugs and out the door. Check, check and check!  

I go about my day, radiating those qualities to people around me. Sending a worship song to a friend who needs encouragement, patiently waiting for my turn in the coffee line, giving a compliment to the lady in my office. And I think, “Thank the Lord, He has changed my heart, this wasn’t so hard!”

Well, that is until that one person comes to mind. You know, the one you always think of when the pastor talks about forgiveness. Maybe it’s a family member, friend, co-worker that you just haven’t been able to forgive. It’s then that I’m reminded of the second part of Paul's message to us.

When we look deeper into the idea of “bearing with one another”, we see the challenge. We see that Paul is reminding us to love one another as Christ modeled for us. To love those who are not easy to love, and forgive those who have wronged us.

Bearing with them?  Forgiving them? That may not be something that we are so naturally inclined to sign-up for. Sometimes, choosing to forgive and love those who aren’t easy to love is the one thing that causes people to draw a line in the sand and politely decline the challenge God has called us to. Because really bearing with someone is not just about loving them through the various seasons of life, but loving them despite their individual weaknesses. Being compassionate to the self-centered, being kind to the inconsiderate, choosing gentleness with those who shout in conflict, being humble in a crowd of arrogance, and being patient in the fast paced world we live in.

So as we “put on” the qualities of the “chosen people, holy and dearly loved”,  let us not just simply love those who are easy to love and forgive those who are easy to forgive. 

Let us be more like Him. 

Action Steps:

•  Take a moment of reflection, listen for God’s response. What challenge does he have for you today? 

• Take one more moment to pray and thank God for revealing whatever it is that He placed on your heart.  

• And lastly, remember friend, you are chosen, holy and dearly loved.  

Written by Kelsey, mom of 2, trying to love all