Take a moment to read Colossians 2:1-5 before reading the devotional below.
Have you ever wanted something for someone so badly that you felt like you would do anything for them? Paul uses the word “agonize” to describe how he has felt towards the Christians in Colosse and in Laodicea. He wants unity and love for them, and he wants them to understand the mystery of Christ. This agonizing doesn’t manifest in worry or helplessness, but rather it drives Paul to keep pressing forward on his mission.
Paul isn’t with these new Christians, and he doesn’t want them to believe just anybody who comes their way. He wants the truth to prevail, and in doing so he has to keep in mind that his mission is actually the Holy Spirit’s mission. He can’t protect every follower of Jesus from believing lies. But he can write to them, encourage them, strengthen them, and pray for them.
Here’s your freedom for today: there is always a way God can use you. You may not be able to directly intervene in situations that you know could be better. Or you may not have the physical or mental ability to do as much as you’d like. Sometimes we have to work from a distance, not in helplessness or worry but in great spiritual power. Paul found a way to be an influence from prison, and you can do the same when you can’t directly get involved in helping someone. You can encourage. You can pray. You can demonstrate patience and a willingness to love. If you are focused on all that you can’t do today, ask God to show you one thing you can do. He always uses willing hearts.