²⁴ I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. ²⁵ God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. ²⁶ This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. ²⁷ For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

²⁸ So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. ²⁹ That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

Colossians 1:24-29

Dear God, Christ lives in me. That’s the secret according to Paul in verse 27. Christ lives in me. Well, there are some days when I give him more space than others.

I lost a little bit of sleep last night. As I was in bed and had different things running around my head–the mother I talked with yesterday about her son and his addiction issues, issues at work, issues in the community, etc.–I found myself sometimes praying for people, sometimes complaining about them in my head, and sometimes just wishing I could go back to sleep. I was trying to make room for Jesus, but there was probably a lot of me in those thoughts and not as much Jesus. More judgment in me for others and the way they act, and not as much grace and trying to look behind the facade to see the pain.

Jesus, if you are to live in me then I am going to have to do better. Yes, you live there already. Your Holy Spirit is in me. The God of the universe is in there with me. But I am still more likely to judge others, get frustrated and lash out, or simply try to resolve issues myself instead of leaning into you. So help me Jesus. Help me, Holy Spirit. Help me, Father. Help me to completely submit to you and bring my being just a little closer to you. Oh, how I would love to be a little more Christlike today. I give myself over to you and ask that you help get me there.

I pray all of this in my savior Jesus, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen