Tag: understanding

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Renewed perspective in Christ

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Steven Wright on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Colossians 3.

Paul describes a new life in Christ “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:9,10).

What does that mean?

I can make some sense out of it by pulling in a few other phrases from this letter.

  • Paul prayed that these Christians would “be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (1:9).
  • “Christ is the image of the invisible God” (1:15).
  • “In [him] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3).

In the larger context of this letter, Paul doesn’t want these believers to get deceived or distracted by philosophy, human traditions and teachings, or other spiritual diversions. Instead, an understanding of our new life in Christ comes from him.

Interestingly, the first thing I did when I wondered, “What does this mean?” is ask Google. Of course I went to AI for some insight. As we all do these days. I know, it would have been better to use scripture to interpret scripture. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32). Sometimes all you have to do is ask.

The world certainly looks different with Jesus in the picture. As a second Adam, he helps us understand what God has in mind for our lives. In fact, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:9,10).

The “new self” isn’t just about better behavior. It’s an understanding of what God had in mind all along, or renewed “knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Before my cataract surgery, I used to reach for my glasses first thing in the morning. Otherwise, I couldn’t see much of anything, much less the time on the clock. A daily dose of scripture works the same way, bringing God’s grace and love into focus so we can live, really live, each day.

Posted in Life

Everyone Has a Story: Empathy in Daily Life

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t understand?
View all responses

The list of things that people don’t understand is long. But for the purpose of this post, I’ll propose that most people don’t understand that everyone has a story. And chances are, you don’t know their story. Just as they don’t know yours.

What’s behind a person’s rude comment? Or impatient remark? What happened that morning to cause someone to cut ahead of you in line, lean on their car horn, look at you like they wanted to shove a knife in your gut, or suddenly push you out of the way.

I have no idea. I don’t know what the doctor just told them. I don’t know what just broke on their car. What’s leaking in their house? I don’t know what kind of trouble their child just got into. Maybe they just their job. Or a close friend.

I think most people don’t understand that we all have a story. Very few care about how my day went. Or what my struggles are. And to be honest, I don’t care about you and your problems either. It’s strange. We tend to be wrapped up in our own little world.

What if? What if I paused for a moment and listened? What if I simply asked, “What’s going on?” What if I cared?

I hate those questions. They are haunting and convicting. I know I should seek to understand. I too often forget. Be patient. Show some grace. It’s ok.

Everyone has a story. Find out what it is.