Preparing For God's Future #6

Friday, January 5, 2001

Colossians 3:17 – 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. (NRSV)

This is how we prepare for God's future. The prophet would have us consider God's will for the world and for the church as we embrace a new year dawning. "'For surely I know the plans I have for you', says the Lord, 'plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11) Like all new years, this new year is filled with hope and dreams and promises and plans and fears and failures and all the rest. But it is a future about which we can be confident because God is the God of yesterday, today and forever, and God is already in that future waiting for people of faith to embrace it.

"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 3:17 NRSV)

This is how we prepare for God's future. The words and deeds of the liturgy, the promises we take from and give to the Lord our God, are faithful and true. We declare ourselves today to be a Covenant People, reaching out and embracing the future of God's own choosing. We have a long way to go. With Jesus and Samuel and all the willing instruments of our Lord, we have growing to do, wisdom to acquire, favour to be found with God and others. And we must be about our gracious God's business.

"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 3:17 NRSV)

Prayer: Lord of all life and love, we open ourselves to the possibilities that present themselves in the changing of the years and the rise and fall of generations. Use us for the creating of the future known only in your mind and to the glory of the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada

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