Dressed In Thankfulness
Colossians 3:12-17 gives a good picture of camp life.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Years ago, I highlighted in green these six verses as an important “what to wear” section of Scripture. As God’s people, we are commanded to daily put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience — much like how a lot of days in southeast Alaska, putting on your rain jacket is essential before stepping out the door. We are called to intentionally bear with and forgive one another. And we are to harmonize all of these traits with love, allowing the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts as we are called into one body.
These verses are so pertinent to Echo Ranch, a place made up of imperfect people striving to echo God’s glory by building the body of Christ. Camp ministry may be the platform that we use to do this, but the way the goal is really accomplished is through speaking and demonstrating the Gospel to others as we ourselves continue to grow in the characteristics Colossians lists. By living and serving alongside others in such a focused way, we not only get to be the recipients of grace and mercy, we are also each challenged to grow in our love toward those around us.
These have been my thoughts whenever I come back to these green highlighted verses. But then in one of my more recent re-readings of the green verses, certain words ended up getting re-highlighted in blue.
Thankful was mentioned in verse 15. Thankfulness showed up in verse 16. And then thanks popped out again in verse 17.
In the midst of this short passage reminding believers of what to put on, thankfulness seems to be an essential layer added to what we need to “wear.” Three times in three verses, Paul is doing more than just hinting at the fact that thankfulness needs to be an intentional part of our spiritual walk with Jesus. Thankfulness doesn’t imply that everything is easy, because it’s not (see “bearing with” in verse 13). It doesn’t imply that we have it all together, because we don’t (see “complaint against each other,” also in verse 13). But through all the joys and challenges that come in every aspect of our lives, we each have reason for thankfulness.
What is true for each believer is true for Echo Ranch. From our amazing heritage of ministry to our excitement for the future; from the privilege of walking with those who are hurting to the countless stories of changed lives; from the unbelievable accounts of God’s past provision to the assurance that He has the unknowns of tomorrow worked out; from the deep partnerships and friendships formed far and wide to the individual work that He is doing in each of us; Echo Ranch has much to be thankful for!
Although gratitude is always in season, this time of year is an especially great time to practice giving thanks for all God does, in all circumstances. Join me by praying that God helps you to more and more put on all the godly qualities from Colossians 3, while layering thankfulness over all of it.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17