August 5 | Colossians 1:9-14

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DAILY READING

Colossians 1:9-14

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REFLECTION

God's Will for My Life?

By Katie Borden

I spent a lot of time–I mean, a LOT of time–in my early twenties panicking about trying to figure out God’s plan for my life. I wanted to be sure that I would move to the city he wanted me to move to and accept the exact job he wanted me to accept. In the midst of one intense season of decision-making, I did some study on the Bible passages that talked about the will of God. This particular passage had a profound impact on me at the time, and it continues to shape how I understand God’s will and work in life.

This is the truth I have come to know from passages like this one in Colossians 1: God cares deeply for his children, and the way we live out our lives matters to God. But his will is often less about whether or not we follow some predetermined course of action he has mapped out for us, and more about the transformation of our hearts and the loving character of the actions we engage in. “Bear fruit, grow in the knowledge of God, be strengthened, have endurance and patience, and give joyful thanks to God” sounds like a very different list from the “move to Arizona and take a job at a specific company” kind of direction I expected. 

Of course, the other reality of the exhortation in Colossians is that, while I may desire to live out a life marked by these Christlike qualities, I will inevitably fall short. In fact, I know that I do fall short of this every single day. Thanks be to God that he assures us of the forgiveness of our sins, and that he also empowers us by his Spirit to live life this way (frankly, it is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work that we even desire to live life this way). What a gift from our good God that he lives within us, bringing us ever more in line with the character of his will, and ever more into unity with him. 

Whatever else the circumstances of life may look like, living out Christlike love in unity with God is the very best way I can imagine to live life!

PRAYER

God, thank you for calling me to be your child, and for giving me life in Jesus. Continue to work within me by the power of the Holy Spirit to cultivate the kind of life that is truly life-a life that brings glory to your name. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.