One of the great challenges a superhero faces is to stay the course. Something happens in their lives – justice is upset, evil prevails, etc. – and they set off to make it right. They commit themselves to a life of doing good and serving others. But along the way, obstacles arise. Super villains show up with a tenacity to destroy. Temptations (like fame or personal vengeance) come along and try to entice them away from their ultimate goal. They get tired, disgruntled, and weary from all of the effort expended, the cost ensued, and the way others take them for granted or mistreat them.
We, as faith superheroes, face the same sort of trials. Will we stay the course or drift away? Paul is writing to the faith heroes in Colosse. He is reminding them of their first love, so to speak. Imploring them to remember the vision, to stay committed, to not be distracted by the temptations, the weariness, and the difficulty of a life committed to God.
No matter what difficulties we are facing, God is there. No matter what temptations, the course of our true love is straight and clear. God is the source of our strength. Just as He called us into this path, He is calling us through it. Just as He enabled us to begin, He will enable us to persevere.
In many ways, gratitude is the key to all. When we focus on thanking God for what is rather than complaining about what isn’t, we invite ourselves to remember the hope, the blessing, and the opportunity of serving God – which, in the end, far outweighs whatever cost we encounter.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
– Colossians 2:6-7