"Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Colossians 3:15
Throughout the post Easter series, “Raised to Life,” we have been focusing and studying Colossians 3:1-17. Many people have memorized or re-memorized this passage, including my daughter Becca. Listening to my daughter recite the passage that she learned as a child was inspiring. She told me later that memorizing Colossians 3:1-17 was the breakthrough for her in her education, which allowed her to graduate with such high honors at Seattle Pacific University and get a scholarship from Princeton, Duke and other fine schools. She had previous to memorizing the passage had to work extra hard to get her grades, but through the process of memorizing she discovered she was an auditory learner. What an extraordinary opportunity that she not only was able to learn and hold God’s word close to her heart but to also learn about herself.
The Colossians passage is challenging us to know ourselves. “You died,” it says – so frankly and shockingly. “You were raised to life with Christ.” It then goes onto say so “live like a miracle has taken place in your life.” The dichotomy drawn in this passage is that you can forget that the peace of Christ is going to rule no matter what we do it is your choice if you are going to let it completely into your heart. The rich, the evil, the liar, the con artist are all going to die and learn that they were only manipulating themselves. Honestly, bearing with one another faults and kindness is going to win in the end.
Currently, the church staff and about 25 leaders of the church are studying the DNA of the church. We are discussing and praying about how we can remain true to our identity and yet become a better church. Even if you are not part of these two groups the re-engineering project will continue through the summer as we have discussion groups, prayer vigils, and retreats aimed at taking that yearly stride, described in my book Astoundingly Joyful – Amazingly Simple, when we embrace change as long as it is led by Jesus Christ. Reformation will continue in the life of the church.
It is going to be a great summer because we expect the same renewal to take place in our marriages, our Tiny Little Churches (small groups), our non-profit foundations, our all nations congregations, our worship celebrations, and our families. When revival strikes nothing is left untouched, we are all changed. So whatever we do, in word or deed, let us do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp5cHK7rHTw
have lived long enough to know that I am much happier and at peace with trying to live dressed in God’s wardrobe of compassion, kindness, and being teachable with a quiet strength. I have observed people I admire live with these traits. I have seen kindness begat kindness, gentle words turn an argument around so that a resolve can be reached. Parents telling a child they are sorry for an inappropriate response, and the child learns that an adult can be real and approachable. It takes a willingness to don these clothes and live in this reality.
Prince had a unique identity and look about him as well. Creative. Unabashed. Colorful. Enigmatic. His identity, like his talent, cannot be replaced or even copied. One of the reasons people will miss him so much is because he made the very most of his talent and creativeness. He made the most of his unique identity.