DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TAKE HEED

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TAKE HEED

"And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.' " (Colossians 4:17)

It is interesting to me that the Apostle Paul ends this letter with a special word to a solitary person, Archippus. We don't know much about this individual except that he is singled out again in Paul's letter to Philemon as a "fellow soldier" who was a part of the house church that met in Philemon's home.

This is not the first time we have talked about the ministries that God has placed in the church. Whatever gift Archippus had received, he needed encouragement to continue to do that ministry. We might say, "Pay attention and be diligent to the ministry God has given you."

We all need this kind of encouragement to fulfill the ministry which we have received in the Lord. It is so easy to get lazy and slough off when it comes to doing what God has called us to do. We get involved in so many things that may be good but do not actually fulfill the task that God has designed for us as individuals. Paul's admonition is to take seriously and faithfully the particular purpose God has for each life to bless the kingdom.

Each of needs to pay attention, be diligent to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives. The work of the Kingdom of God depends on it. As the song says, "Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my hands, and let the move at the impulse of Thy love, at the impulse of Thy love."

Love, Dad