I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Colossians 2:1-5 NIV
I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me fact to face, but that doesn't make any difference. Know that I'm on your side, right alongside of you. You're not in this alone. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild goose chase, after other so called mysteries, or "the Secret." I am a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I'm on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:1-5 The Message
One of the things I love about the epistles is the fact that Paul never knew he would be writing most of what we call the New Testament today. He had such a heart for the church and he struggled in prayer constantly for those he couldn't personally be with. For those he could not be with, he sat down and wrote those letters and sent them off and they contained so much! They were letters influenced by the Holy Spirit and were intended to rebuke, minister, and encourage.
Paul was so real. His heart is so evident in his writings. I really like the Message bible version where he says, "Know that I'm on your side, right alongside of you. You are not in this alone". I don't know about you, but I have several friends I don't get to see very often but I know they are praying for me, and they are right there with me when I need them. I am also reminded that I am not alone. There is nothing so powerful in a friendship as a prayer warrior friend! Prayer moves the hand of God!
Nothing binds people together more than having Jesus Christ as common ground. There is no distance when it comes the the Holy Spirit. Being "united in love" as the NIV says, or "woven into a tapestry of love" joins people together like nothing else. Choosing to be a part of the family of God is the best choice I have ever made. I have some of the most amazing "family" I could ever ask for. I know they love me and cover me in prayer. I had one awesome friend tell me just this week that she had my back like a sweater. That made me feel so good because I knew she was praying for me when I needed her.
To those of you I don't get to see, or I have never met but yet you take time out of your day to pray for me, I thank you. To those of you I don't get to see that often or I have never met, I also want you to know I am praying for you too!
Beloved, let us love one another...
I love you all
Cathi
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