The glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you.

Colossians 1:24-27, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Some people say that coming to Christ will put an end to all difficulties and suffering, but scripture is clear that the early believers all suffered for his name and Paul was no exception. No one likes suffering, and yet the times of great growth for many of us have included suffering. Somehow through our “many light afflictions” there is a weight of glory one day to be revealed! We live in a culture of complaints; can we give thanks not only in receiving blessings, but in times of struggle?

Give us your strength in times of struggle, that we may join with Paul in making known the glory of the mystery, Christ in us!

ESV Lectionary