"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy..." Colossians 1:11-12

Give thanks with all JOY!

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Colossians 1:11-12

"May you be strengthened..." Do you remember the difference between the words 'can' and 'may'? The word 'can' means that you have the ability to do something. 

"Can I go to the bathroom?" my students often ask me. "I don't know, CAN you?" is my response!

They then realize their error and ask properly, "May I go to the bathroom?" Yes! You MAY! (I'm really tough and mean with my students, tee hee!)

The use of the word 'may' is to ask permission. Yes, you CAN go to the bathroom, as in, if your kidneys and digestive system are working properly, you are ABLE to go to the bathroom. But by asking 'May I?" you are asking permission to do something. 

So, to get back to Colossians. We all know Paul meant every word he wrote! And in this instance, he used the word "may." What does this tell us? It tells us simply that God has already granted us His full permission to be strengthened with all God's power, according to His glorious might. That is another phrase granting us permission: "according to His glorious might." I'm not a Bible scholar, and I don't know the ancient Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic, etc. But as a grammar nerd, I sure do know what "may" means!  

This begs the question: if we have been granted permission from our Heavenly Father to be strengthened with all his power, why don't we use this power?! The Bible says it's attainable.  

Along with that, another question needs to be answered. We have to have a reason as to why we are granted permission to accept this power from God. The second part of verse eleven tells us: "for ALL ENDURANCE and PATIENCE WITH JOY." In other words, this incredible, amazing power from God, which He has given us permission to use is not to be used for ourselves. It is to be used as a witness to others of all that God calls you to endure in your life. He gives us peace and patience with joy, and in all these things, we are to give thanks and glory and honor to Him!

Why? Because we are qualified. Jesus Christ has rescued us through the power of his blood. We are now one of God's family, his beloved children. Because of these reasons we are qualified to be strengthened with His power, and able to share in His inheritance with all saints.

That is news to wake me up! News to make me jump to my feet and start my day. I don't have much strength. But my Heavenly Father does, and He has given me permission to use it! Will I utilize this endurance with all power?! Will I let myself accept this gift, and rest in Him, in patience with joy?! Will I glorify his name in all I do? I pray that I do, and you too!

Praying for you today. Use that power!

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