Who gets your best?

Who Gets Your Best?
Colossians 3:12–13, 17

“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 whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

On Sunday, I pointed out that immediately after telling us how to live in response to God’s love, Paul addresses the household. I think that matters because home is often where we turn off. We drop the mask. We are no longer being watched. We feel safe with the people who know us best.

When we hear “whatever you do,” it is easy to think about life out there and forget life in here. Our family should receive our love, support, encouragement, forgiveness, and kindness. Yet often they get the worn-out, weary, overstimulated, and grouchy version of us.

Whatever you do includes what you do at home. That is why Paul gets specific about how husbands, wives, children, and fathers treat one another.

One of the toughest things Carlin has said to me is, “I wish you treated me as patiently as you treat ________.” You can fill in the blank with a church or community member. She had a point.

In your desire to live for the Lord, do not forget those closest to you. They should receive your best, not simply what is left over!