Enjoying God

Norah Summers July 26, 2025 3 1

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Colossians 1: 15-28 (NIVUK)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness – 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

This reads like a manifesto – Paul sets the scene with an explanation of what God has done, and then explains his own involvement, and encourages the Colossians in their own faith.

When I was in Primary School in the Highlands our very devout teacher gave us a portion of a Psalm and a question or two from the Shorter Catechism to learn by heart each night. I have to say I remember the Psalms better than the exhortations of the Shorter Catechism – reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment anyone? But the language fascinated me, and the early question still resonates – What is the chief end of man? Answer — Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever. The book was pretty serious and did not promise much enjoyment; at least to a child. But there it is, spelled out by the stern old churchmen — God is to be enjoyed. And for ever at that!

There is no glossing over the trials and tribulations that Paul himself has faced and continues to face as he writes to the Colossians. His life of witness is no bed of roses. But his enjoyment of his calling is plain to see. He counts his troubles as incidental, since he has such a message of hope and joy to share.

Prayer:

Loving God, thank you for your message of hope and joy, brought to us in Jesus and proclaimed by your people down the years. Thank you for those people, from the early apostles like Paul to the folk of our own day. Give us grace to enjoy you, now and for ever.

Read also Psalm 16 which I think sums up the week’s reflections pretty well!