Ouachita Stories

It’s the last week before spring break. Take a deep breath, dig deep, you can do this! If you need a hug, this week’s verse is for you. The more I read it, the more I feel God’s presence. Several parts of this verse catch my attention.

First of all, we’re called “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” What an amazing concept! God knows me with all my successes and all my shortcomings, yet He still chooses to love me. He doesn’t have to love me, but He chooses to anyway. And His love is perfect, complete and never-failing. Take comfort in God’s amazing love for you!

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

The second part of this verse provides us with a task: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Notice that it says to “clothe yourselves” with these virtues. For me, this stirs images of covering myself completely, like a child who throws a blanket over her head and becomes completely enveloped in it. Let these virtues cover every part of your life so that they become your nature. Clothing is also something that’s visible to others. We should be humble in all we do, but others should recognize these virtues in us.

Finally, we act this way because we are so loved by God. We’ve been given such a wonderful gift. How can we keep it to ourselves? If you had more cookies than you could eat, wouldn’t you share with those around you? So it is with God’s love; His love is so immense and overflowing that there is plenty to share.

Stresses of the semester and life can be overwhelming, but remember God’s love for you and remember others’ need to experience His love as well. You never know what other people are going through, and they just might be in need of your compassion today.

 

By Angela Douglass, Assistant Professor of Physics