The Limping Church Triumphant

L-ife is to be lived with love as our mandate; but too often,

I-maginations are soiled with the cares and constraints of bolstering up this

M-ansion here, rather than the one

P-prepared for us. Wishing to stay and wishing to go

I-s for those closest to heaven’s door and

N-ot for those distracted with position and purpose,

G-rounded, it seems, in earthly things. And we wound each other with

C-areless words; and we

H-arm the weak and disarm the strong, without

U-nderstanding we are servants one of another, chosen not by destiny but

R-edeemed and uniquely

C-hosen by Christ. He is the One we serve—not ourselves—with grace and

H-umility, forgiving one another, seeking each one’s best.

T-herefore, as God’s people, let us clothe ourselves with compassion; let peace

R-ule our hearts, forgiving all grievances, responding

I-n love as Christ has loved us,

U-nfettered by ambition and pride and blind passion.

M-aster of all, Lord of Your church, it would seem our faith

P-aralysis is not a reflection of You but our

H-alf-hearted devotion, our crippling sins.

A-rise in our hearts; revive your chosen ones that we might

N-ot be so earthbound, but set our hearts on

T-hings above. This is my broken prayer.

***

Colossians 3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.