Colossians 1:3-4
Colossians 1:3-4
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.”
Are there people in your life that whenever you think of them, they bring a smile to your face and produce thoughts of thankfulness to God for them? I can think of many in my life that do that for me, just so glad God blessed me with them in my life. When I think of these people, I find the reason for my thankfulness is related to how they have been a personal blessing to me. Whether they have been an encouragement or an inspiration or a friend in times of need, there is a personal investment of their lives into mine.
I think what is most impressive in Paul’s remarks here, though, is that Paul had never visited the Colossian church. He didn’t know them face-to-face. It was his companion Epaphras who started the church while Paul remained in Ephesus. And yet Paul is said to always thank God for them when they prayed. Why was Paul thankful for strangers? The reason he had a thankful heart while not being personally blessed by them was because his heart was set on the gospel of Christ spreading into lives. If a life was changed by Christ, he was thankful to God for them. It didn’t matter if they were strangers. Any heart changed by God affected Paul’s heart.
Do you share Paul’s heart? Do you thank God for people you don’t even know because they have been touched by the Savior in a powerful way? I pray that my thankfulness will extend beyond those who have blessed my life to those who have been blessed by God and are making an impact for the kingdom of God. Who can you give thanks for in prayer right now?
