24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Col. 1:24-29)
It’s easy to think gospel ministry is reserved for those on a stage or under a spotlight – pastors, missionaries, or the formally trained. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Gospel ministry is life. Every believer is called to gospel ministry, wherever God has placed us. Whether you’re raising children, serving in retirement, leading Bible study, or showing Christ’s love at your job, you are part of this glorious mission. Colossians 1:24–29 shows us just how glorious (and gritty) that calling can be.
If the preeminence of Christ in creation, the Church, and in reconciliation sets the stage for Paul’s ministry (Col. 1:15-23), then Colossians 1:24–29 reveals how that truth transforms everything about the way he serves. For Christian women seeking to live faithfully in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities, Paul’s example is both a challenge and a comfort.
Rejoicing in the Burden: Paul’s Attitude in Ministry (v.24)
Some might believe the hardships we face are a detriment to ministry. How can God possibly use me to further His kingdom if I struggle with depression, have a rebellious child, or battle anxiety every day?
Paul knew suffering; beyond his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7), his life was marked by hardship. Yet, he tells the Colossians he rejoices in his suffering for their sake. In other words, he considers his personal distress as a way of carrying on Christ’s work, and the challenges he faces can and will be used by God to spread the gospel. For that reason, he rejoices in his suffering.
We have a choice when faced with hardship. We can either become bitter and pull away from the service God has called us to, or we can choose joy—a settled satisfaction in Christ and in His provisions—and be open to how God might use us amid our hardship or perhaps even because of it. Don’t wait until life feels “together” to serve. God uses us right in the middle of the mess to point others to Jesus…
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