Encouragement.

I'm not sure how familiar you, whoever you are reading this, are with the Bible, but I think that there are a lot of misunderstandings associated with it.  It can seem really difficult to make sense of (and sometimes it is, trust me, I know).  Today, though, I just read a passage that really encouraged me and touched my heart. It's found in the book of Colossians, which is a letter written by a man named Paul to the church in a city called Collossae.

So when you read it, read it as if it was a letter written to you, for encouragement, by a friend and a mentor.  That is how a lot of the New Testament can be read.  and when I think about it through that lens, it doesn't seem so confusing or overwhelming.  It seems comforting and encouraging.

So anyway, here is what encouraged me today as I read it:  (Please don't skim it or skip it!)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 4:12-17

Sometimes it's even interesting to imagine Paul is writing the letter to you specifically.  For example, the first sentence could be read, "Therefore, Leslie, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."  Once I put my name in there, it becomes so much more meaningful to me as well.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a couple of these thoughts because sometimes reading the Bible can seem so daunting and so confusing.  I'm not a Biblical scholar by any means, nor do I read mine as consistently as I would like, but today I thought I would share this with whoever would let me :-)