“For this I toil, struggling withall his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
Colossians 1:29 ESV
Have you ever struggled with something or someone you deeply care about? Maybe with your family, marriage, friendships, ministry, or even your personal walk with Jesus?
The Struggle is Real — and so is Jesus’ power! (Title of my message this Sunday)
Paul’s life and ministry was filled with hardships, opposition, disappointments, and struggles. One of his struggles connected to an internal burden for others he loved. He writes, “I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you … ” (Colossians 2:1).
I believe Paul knew why he struggled. He wanted the hearts of his spiritual family to be encouraged, lives knit together in love, and their relationships strengthened to grow mānoa in Jesus! This is the amazing thing: that Paul didn’t struggle in his own strength. He was striving with the energy and power of Jesus working in him!
Ugh! Too often I exhaust myself trying to do things FOR other people (FOR Jesus honor), and I lack leaning more on and in Jesus strength.
Paul reminds us that our Christian life isn’t about striving harder in our own strength but learning to surrender more deeply on the power of Christ. The struggle may be real but so is the presence and power of Jesus working within us!
As we continue growing together as God’s ‘ohana, may our hearts be encouraged, our relationships strengthened in love, and our lives increasingly rooted in Jesus.
Today, this weekend, let’s ask our hearts, “Am I struggling in my own energy and power, or am I allowing the energy and power of Christ to work in and through me?“
Lord, help us all … and love you all!
Pastor Rod
