Memorizing Colossians

This past weekend was a challenging one for me.  We had a Directors Retreat in Salina at Camp Webster and as usual...it was great connecting with other Jesus seeking women.  One of the best challenges came with Dr. Radu Georghita from Midwestern Seminary.  He challenged us again to be memorizing entire books of the Bible.  I have heard him speak before and have been challenged each time.  This past weekend was no different.  I came home ready to memorize Colossians.  So...that's what I'm reading, that's what I'm studying, that's what I'm meditating on.  You will likely be hearing much about this book that Paul wrote.  

This morning as I was memorizing verses 1-5 verse 5 struck me.  Verse 4 spoke about the Faith in Jesus and the love for people that the church in Colossae had.  Then verse 5 says where the faith and love came from.  He writes "the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven."  Simply put...when we have hope for eternity, our faith in Jesus and our love for all of God's people springs up.  Now...personally...I know I have faith and I know I have love...But if there is anything I need more of...it's those 2 things.  I need to have REAL faith...the kind of faith that believes God in a way where my actions show it.  The kind of faith that transforms my thoughts, my desires, how I spend my time, what I think I deserve and so much more.  I also need REAL love.  The kind of love that puts people first...the kind of love that overwhelms my pride and my selfishness.  The kind of love that Jesus showed me.  

Paul is saying that if I have a firm grasp on the hope of eternity...I will know that Faith and I will know that Love.  So instead of praying for more faith and more love...perhaps I should be asking for a greater understanding of what the hope of eternity means in my life.  Maybe I need to ask that my heart be broken by my sin and what I truly deserve...so that I can fully appreciate what God did when He sent His son into the world to pay the sacrifice for my sins and purchase the hope of eternity for me.  Then...only then can the Faith and Love God desires spring up from that hope.  So...as I start this journey in Colossians, I'm asking for eyes to see the hope of eternity.  And may that Hope accomplish much in my life and through my life.  Please Jesus...let it be so.