Whatever You Do…

Jesus led me to Colossians 3 in my quiet time with Him this morning: “Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus…” (v. 17, italics added).

He then invited me to live in that verse today.

I exhaled in grateful relief, feeling His peace saturate my heart.

Before I opened my Bible this morning, I was feeling somewhat frustrated. I happen to be very tired following a busy (but fun!) weekend and I regretted that I allowed that fatigue to manifest itself in  speaking rather harshly to my daughter this morning.

I was upset with myself and wearily asked Jesus to help me overcome my stubborn fleshly reactions.

Colossians 3:17 was His answer.

After reading that verse, I found myself asking, “Can I speak harshly to my daughter in Jesus’ Name?”

Um….no!

Can I worry in Jesus’ Name?

Can I be selfish in Jesus’ Name?

Can I harbor negative thoughts in Jesus’ Name?

Can I judge another in Jesus’ Name?

Can I be lazy in Jesus’ Name?

Can I give a half-hearted effort in Jesus’ Name?

The answer is no to all of these things.

What a clear and refreshing way to look at each day!

The word “whatever” in this verse encompasses all of life. Whatever choices this day holds for me , I can choose to ask myself, “Can I take this action, think this thought, say this word in the Name of the Lord Jesus?”

If not, I will ask His strength to make the choice that will honor Him and His precious Name.

He gives me guidance for ways to honor Him in the rest of Colossians 3:

*Set your minds on things above, not earthly things (v.2)

*Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature (v.5)

*Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v.12)

*Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (v.13)

*Above all else, put on love (v.14)

Today, this can be Jesus’ invitation to you as well.

Go..and do ALL in the Name of Jesus.

You will discover that a day lived to His glory is a day filled with His joy.