Draw From HIS Energy

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:28-29

As I was reading through Colossians again today, I was caught by the words "his energy". I spent a large portion of the morning listening to the 6th session of the leaders training and re-reading portions of the manual, so Bright Lights was still in the back of my mind when, after brunch, I decided to read through Colossians. The more I thought of it, the more I felt a need to write about it - in fact, I'm writing the majority of this in the minutes leading up to and following midnight, because I know I can't sleep with these thoughts unwritten. Yes, I am a chronic writer.

But back on topic, I looked up these two verses in the KJV and Amplified tonight, and found the latter to be rather enlightening.

"Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One)." Colossians 1:28, Amplified

Is this not what we are striving to do in Bright Lights? I was very happy to find a verse that so adequately describes the role of a leader in Bright Lights and the reason for which we labor - to present every girl mature in Christ. That is a major responsibility! Though I trust God, and know that He will make me able to complete the tasks He has laid before me, I wonder at how He will accomplish it through such a frail and faulty creature as me. I found my answer in the next verse.

"For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me." Colossians 1:29, Amplified

We CAN do exceeding abundantly more than we imagined, but only with the energy that is beyond human ability; only with the energy that comes from the Father and is generously enkindled* within us, enabling us to do His most perfect work. So if anyone lacks strength for the hard tasks ahead of them in the coming day, or is feeling overwhelmed by the huge responsibility they have (i.e. Bright Lights), just know that God is able and willing to give you His energy, that you may strive to do His will.

Draw from His plentiful supply of joyful energy.


*When I actually took the time to look up this word, I was very surprised to find that it has a slightly unique meaning - if you are at all like me, you may have assumed (yes, I agree, a very bad thing to do) that it was just the Old English way of saying "kindled", but think again. While "kindle" means to arouse feelings or interest, "enkindle" means to spark an emotional or intellectual response in somebody. While somewhat similar, I thought the difference great enough to at least mention and think about. (Definitions taken from Encarta World English Dictionary)