TODAY'S READING
Colossians 1:9-12

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Where is God pushing me to serve today?

PRAYER FOCUS
Sailors



Filled
Bob LaForge (New Jersey, USA)


Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. - Colossians 1:9 (NIV)

We live near the shore, and sometimes we go to watch the boats on the ocean. Of particular splendor are the sailboats. The wind billows the sails as the boats slice through the water, carving paths across the ocean. Without the wind, the boat just sits there, drifting at the mercy of the currents. But when the wind picks up, the slack sails rise and puff out and push the sailboat to greater distances.

Just as the wind fills a ship’s sails, Paul prayed that the lives of the Colossians would be directed by the knowledge of God’s will that comes from spiritual wisdom and understanding. That is what should be pushing our decisions, our motivations, our character — not our desire for power, money, or praise. Spiritual wisdom and understanding tells us that what is unseen and eternal is more important than what we see all around us.

Doing what is right is more important than getting what we want, and pleasing God is where our true blessings come from. What the world has to offer will leave our sails slack and useless. But God’s eternal truth can fill our sails and push us to greater distances than we thought possible.


TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may do your work in the world and follow your will. Amen.