Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I have a challenge for you today. Today I encourage you to treat others with “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”. (Col 3:12b) Will it be easy or hard? Are you reading this while standing in an early morning Black Friday line? Are you preparing for a day spent hiding from the shoppers in your home? Whether you are greeting fellow shoppers, exchanging words with your cashier or simply spending the day with a family member or two, I encourage you to “put on love” (Col 3:14) especially for those who don’t seem to deserve it. As we stand in the shadow of Thanksgiving, looking forward to Advent and Christmas, let’s check our wardrobe. What will we wear out into the world? I challenge you to put on love, to treat others with grace, to greet gruffness with joy and to show the love of Christ to everyone you meet. On your marks… Get set… GO!