March 17

Colossians 1:9 – 14

Link to Bible verses: Colossians 1

Humility: leads to a more loving stance in the world through authenticity

Something in this passage makes me think about how difficult the spiritual journey can be at times. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is a bit intense: “that you may be filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God.” I think it’s the extremes—all, fully, every—that catch my attention. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’m “all,” “fully,” or “every” about anything. I’m more like “mostly,” “for the most part,” and “typically.” But I’m also pretty undeterred (and a bit stubborn), so I persist.

While one’s spiritual journey can sometimes feel like a lot of work, God strengthens and empowers us for this journey, as Paul assures the Colossians. We do not have to earn God’s love and mercy; it’s with us through all the difficulties. And our relationship with God is not a one-way street. Doing the work of our journey, whatever that may be, is meeting God in the effort.

Our options for doing our part of the journey are almost endless, and part of the journey is finding what practices seem like a good fit, while knowing the fit may change over time. Are you inclined to pray? To journal? To take contemplative walks outside? What about accompanying others? Reading scripture? Finding and engaging actively in your journey is a gift to yourself and to God; you’re not expecting God to do all of the work. Consider sitting with the question of engaging in a practice as a way of starting the journey up the ladder of humility, beginning with recognizing God’s loving and merciful presence.

Thank you to Linda Land-Closson for writing our 2026 Lenten Devotions.