Hey everyone, it has been so long!
So I've been back at University for a few weeks now. Time is flying by. This semester has felt a little different than normal. At first I thought it was because of some of the changes I was getting used to; some of my friends graduating and no longer being here, stuff like that. But, I think there is something more going on here.
This semester, I have felt way more open to God than I was before. I have been more excited to be reading the Bible, I listen more intently during chapel services; I just feel more eager to learn.
And boy, when you are eager to learn, the things you will learn are incredible.
I've been spending some time reading in Colossians. This is an amazing book of the Bible to read. It's a letter from Paul to a church in the city of Colosse. Paul wrote a lot of letters, as you find out when looking at the New Testament. This letter is just... it's so encouraging to read.
I feel like God has really wanted me to be closer and to grow more in Him. As I was thinking about that, guess what verse I saw? Colossians 2:7, which says, "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on him."(NLT)
I started at the beginning, and in chapter 1, I saw another verse about growth; "Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better." (Colossians 1:10)***
Growth isn't always fun, and it definitely is not easy. But God can place an excitement and a desire for growth in your heart; and He will if you really and truly want it. It will mean doing some hard things, like confessing you are wrong to God and maybe even to an accountability partner. But in the end, God will work some amazing things out and will be able to take your life, and help you "grow as you learn to know God better and better."
Taking time in silence with God is a way to grow. Reading the Scriptures is another. I have found value in reading the Scripture I am studying more than once. It helps me to digest the ideas more, and reveals new things to me. Reading our Bible is only boring if we make it boring.
Always go into your time of devotions open and ready to learn. You will come away feeling refreshed and energized and excited about what you are learning.
Keep learning.
Keep seeking.
Keep growing.
*** I have a side note about this verse that I want to include. Whenever something starts with the word "then," it means that you need to go back and look at the rest of the context. Paul is writing about how people had been praying for this church, and how this church had heard the Good News from Epaphras, who was a beloved co-worker (v.3-7). Paul continued on, saying that they have not stopped praying for the believers in Colosse since they had first heard about them. They asked God to give spiritual wisdom and understanding to these people so then they could live in a way that is honorable and pleasing to the Lord (v. 9-10).
Two things I want to point out:
1) Having people who pray for you is good and a necessary part of growth. Having someone who you know is praying for you is encouraging and helpful in your growth.
2) Praying for others is another part of growth. Praying for others helps them grow, and helps you grow too.
