LISTEN ONLINEAs I prepared for my mum’s thanksgiving service, I prayed for the right words to describe her “hyphen years”—the years between her birth and death. I reflected on the good and not-so-good times in our relationship. I praised God for the day my mum accepted Jesus as her Saviour after she saw Him “changing” me. I thanked Him for helping us grow in faith together and for the people who shared how my mum encouraged and prayed for them while showering them with kindness. My imperfect mum enjoyed a meaningful hyphen—a life well-lived for Jesus.
Not one believer in Jesus is perfect. However, the Holy Spirit can enable us to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way” (Colossians 1:10). According to the apostle Paul, the church of Colossae was known for their faith and love (vv. 3-6). The Holy Spirit gave them “wisdom and understanding” and empowered them to “[bear] fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (vv. 9-10). As Paul prayed for and praised those believers, he proclaimed the name of Jesus, the one “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” ( v. 14).
When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we too can grow in our knowledge of God, love Him and people, spread the gospel and enjoy a meaningful hyphen—a life well-lived for Jesus.