Sufferings.

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.

On my own, I know that I can’t say what Paul says about suffering for someone else. His love for Christ overflows by the power of the Spirit that works from within. On my own, I am far more likely to complain even about minor inconveniences! But in Christ, we have these same “riches of the glory of this mystery,” Christ in us. And He makes this same energy available when for His purposes through us. Are we seeking to have our affections stirred up for Christ and His purpose?

As we have received Christ Jesus, may we walk in Him, “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,” as we have been taught, “abounding in thanksgiving!”

ESV Lectionary