Hearing Jeff reflect on his time in China reminded me of other great, but unlikely friendships that developed in Christ. I remember going to Mexico on a mission trip two years ago. Jessica went too, as did three other families with their children. We spent time with a small Mexican Presbyterian church everyday. One day we went to the beach. Another day we played football (not our football, but the world's football - soccer). We talked about sharing the good news of Jesus with young people. Strangers became family. We had never met them before. By the end of the week, we were in a church member's home for dinner. This member, a baker by profession, had baked us a magnificent cake. Our families all intermingled. New-born Mexican babies were being cradled by kids from Indiana. I remember wondering to myself, "How does this happen? How is it that this is so much better than a vacation? And why is it when I meet new people in the U.S. that we're not having cake together before the week is done?" Strangers become family. But why does it happen when it does, and why doesn't it happen when we want it to?
Let me answer by way of Sunday's passage. The passage is about prayer. "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should." (Colossians 4:2-4). Paul is the great spiritual leader - the apostle. The Colossians he writes to are probably new believers. Common sense tells us that God will listen to Paul. Military folks know about a chain of command. But even generals have to limit who has input, who they listen to. God has the ability to hear everyone. This is God's greatness - "He is not like us humans with our limited capacity, our inability to give full attention to many people at one time. He is all-knowing, all-seeking, ever-present, able to focus with love on each one of us individually. God shows no favoritism, for each of His children is a favorite." (Warren and Ruth Myers, Experiencing God's Attributes, 23)
We all want to be the general sometimes. I'm sure Paul had his moments of wanting to be the one in charge. But he knew God. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - eternally loving one another. We aren't God. But in thinking we are, we have turned in on ourselves. "Me, me, me!" cries each person's heart in this world. But in Christ, God has turned his enemies into friends, strangers into family. The self-oriented, sin nature is put to death. God is holy, loving, and relational to his core. Knowing him, raised to new life in him, we become like him - rejoicing in growing new relationships. Strangers aren't really strangers, for in Christ, we are no longer strangers to God. Enemies aren't really enemies, for in Christ, we are no longer God's enemies.
Relationships take time. Paul mentions 11 names in the letter's last section. The Paul-Colossae connection isn't a simple friendship or an acquaintence. It is more like a web - each strand connecting to many people. Why do some relationships grow and others don't? Trace the web. How far back does it go? And is it built on Christ? Back to Mexico - my team was eating cake in someone's home. But it wasn't because we all make friends easy. Years of financial support, personal presence, and prayer had built this relationship. Our Mexican friends didn't know us. But they knew the ones we represented. Every relationship we have should likewise be built on Christ so that we all grow in a holy, outward love together. It starts with what is true about God in Scripture: We can know him. Through Christ, we can dwell in his holy presence. Through his Holy Spirit, we can grow in Christ's likeness. Receive God. The desire of our Father is for us to know love. Having made us family through Jesus' death and resurrection, he will not forsake the rest of the work of making us feel at home.
1) We were once enemies of God. Through Jesus, we are now family. Enemies to family - how do you describe how close our relationship is with God?
2) In this world, unfortunately, even families are subject to the pervasive effects of sin. How does the notion of being a part of God's family give us strength for our difficult, strained relationships?
3) Think of the people the last question brought to mind for you and pray for them.
