Chaplain's Corner

Do It All In The Name Of The Lord

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 message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

This final memory verse for Bible class is one of my favorites. I was reminded as students were sharing this verse with me that so much of our commitment to following Christ can be summed up in this passage.

Accepting God’s gift of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the beginning of peace and the ultimate source of peace. We are in constant tension, uncertainty, and conflict without the peace of Christ which truly surpasses understanding.

We are called to be thankful and grateful people! Over and over again in scripture we are told to remember what it is that the Lord has done, His faithfulness endures from generation to generation! If we do not seek to be the most thankful and grateful people in all the world, we simply are not set apart - we neglect to proclaim the goodness and love of our God to the world out of grateful hearts!

It has become clear to me that we who have been adopted into God’s family need a heart check on whether we are being filled with gratefulness, for it is one of our greatest tools of witness to a bitter world. Out of fully thankful hearts we proclaim the promises of God, the one who saves, the one who loved us first, regardless of circumstance. We cannot allow bitterness to hurt our witness.

We are to worship in all that we do! I often feel like a broken record in what I say to students in my efforts to help them integrate their faith with every detail of their life. It does not matter whether we are in the midst of playing sport, doing a chore around the house, or interacting with a neighbor. Every detail of our life is to be done unto the glory of our God! Verse 17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Where are we at as a family of God?

Do we fully embrace the peace of Christ in our lives? Do we truly convey to our kids that there is absolutely nothing in this world that will bring you peace but Jesus? There is no accomplishment, no material item, no perfect friendship in this world that will truly fulfill you - only Jesus can offer true peace for our souls!

Do we model thankfulness in all circumstances? Do our kids see contentment, or do they see grumbling and complaining? We must be grateful, remembering people, who communicate to the next generation and the watching world, that God has provided more than we could ever ask or hope for! Jesus is enough.

Do we live a life of praise and purpose in every detail and task? For every word and deed is to be done unto the Lord. There is no greater calling, there is no greater purpose, than to live for the glory of God.

Our kids are being told by secular culture to extend praise to celebrities, to popularity, to wealth, and even to self.

May we make it our goal this summer to reveal to our kids every day and in every detail where praise is truly due! Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Pastor Todd Kardell, Chaplain