July 30 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 51-53; Romans 2

A Meaningful Hyphen

Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. Colossians 1:10

READ Colossians 1:3-12

As 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.

By Xochitl Dixon

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Twin themes of gratitude and love run throughout Paul’s introduction to his letter to the church in Colossae. “We always thank God,” he writes, “because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people” (Colossians 1:3-4). This love for our Father binds all believers together in love. Paul also noted how we “share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (v. 12). Our faith in Christ brings with it a sense of community and a love for each other.