“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24

Dear Jesus, At first glance Paul’s words look blasphemous. How could anything be lacking in the sacrifice you made? But when I consider the context I see that he is taking us to deep spiritual truths. He’s talking about the union we have with you as believers. You are in us leading us to serve just as you did. As we lay down our lives and give up our own wills in order to spread your word and confront people to save them, you are suffering through us. It’s a “sacramental” suffering to bring your salvation to others through our lives. We are your means to save. Ah, this is part of what we mean by “mystic union.” We are mystically united with you. You are in us and we are in you and together we suffer to serve the planet. How deep! How real! How intimate it becomes! Help me to have the same attitude of Paul and give me the wisdom and strength to resist the quitter and delegator attitude so prevalent among my people. Amen.

Serving God and people is not easy but it’s important.