Colossians 1:3-5 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Often when I read scripture I find passages like this one. How I would want Paul to write about me and my belief like this section of Colossians. I know that I have people who pray for me all the time, faithful people who care about me and my faith life. It is always moving to me when in my quiet prayer time I think of those I pray for who also pray for me.
I wish I had the chance to be in this community in Colossus to see first hand what kind of life yielded Paul's description in this passage. I've spent many years now trying to be a creative part of a community with faith in Christ and love for all the saints. I've described that community as being so attractive that people would be drawn to it like iron filings to a magnet. Those who are not yet included in the company of the saints would find the unconditional love they need to fill the void that exists in all of us without God.
Wishful thinking is a waste of time. The question is can I really live a life like those in this letter. If not possible, if it is only wishful thinking, than it is indeed a waste of time and a foolish goal. If it is possible than I need to deepen my faith and increase my love for all the saints. I know Paul isn't writing any new letters, and even if I managed to deserve such praise, waiting for or searching for such praise would mean it wasn't really unconditional love after all. How deep and pure that love of Christ must be. I still do seek such faith, even as I recognize I don't have it yet.
I often wonder if any of this is really possible in modern America, where it seems like everybody just chases having more and more. If however I look at Rome and Colossus, they seem for their historical time to fill a similar pattern. If Paul could write to them, the same must be possible for us.
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