In 2024 so much of our lives are mediated through a screen: computers, smartphones, and social media. Perhaps this is not all bad, but one of the functions of the digital age seems to be the ease with which we stay vigilant: looking for people and opportunities for correction, condemnation, or cancellation. But followers of Jesus are called to something other than this kind of disembodied disintegration:
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:15-17
We are called to live:
…with Christ’s peace ruling our hearts, recognizing our identity as one body.
…with thankfulness.
…with Christ’s Word living so deeply in our hearts that it overflows in teaching, wisdom, and song.
…with everything we do aimed toward the glory of God and thankfulness to God.
May this paradigm be increasingly true in our lives - in person and online.
Spirit, we need your help to grow these things in our lives, would you work deeply in the people of God to that end? Amen and amen.
Amen,
AB