“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:12-15

The Cannon household is pretty chaotic right now. School starts next week and I have one who is getting ready to head out for her second year of college in Oklahoma, my high school senior is taking classes at the local community college part-time as well as doing an elementary school internship this year, three of my kids have started marching band rehearsals, one is in cross country, we have to get all of them in for sports physicals and dentist appointments, and my wife is currently looking for a job…not to mention all our fall activities ramping up at the church. I’m sure many of you, especially those of you with young kids, are dealing with some of this same kind of chaos.

In the midst of all this, we have not been especially patient with one another. Frustrations run high when we are late for one activity while trying to get someone to another, missing practices for doctor’s appointments, or getting in each other’s way as we run in different directions. The sad thing about this is that we are frustrated with one another during a time when we need each other the most. These times of chaos are the times where we need to be a team; carry each other’s burdens, work together to make things happen, and encourage one another. In our little family I see a lesson that applies to Christ’s Church. We are not individuals fighting for ourselves. We are a family meant to live together for the benefit of one another…loving and encouraging one another…spurring one another on to good works. Ultimately our family has one goal: to show a dying world the love of Jesus Christ. To do that, we need each other.

Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to live out Colossians 3:12-15. Give us all we need to be a powerful family for Your Kingdom.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon