On eating elephants

Think about Colossians 1:28 – 2:5

I expect you’ve heard someone ask the rhetorical question “How do you eat an elephant?” And give the rhetorical answer: “One bite at a time”.

When we have a big project or task to perform most of us will try to break it down into manageable chunks, each of which will take us one step towards our goal.

Paul knew this principle very well (although whether he knew much about elephants is a complete mystery!)

Paul wanted to ‘present every one perfect in Christ’ but he knew that goal was a long way off. We are all fallen human beings, including me; and I’m all too aware that God has a long way to go in Ian White. But one day it will happen.

So what were the bites Paul took out of this huge, elephantine vision? Verse 28 tells us that, along with Timothy, he ‘proclaimed’, he ‘admonished’ and ‘taught’ with all the wisdom he could lay his hands on.

He was keenly aware that no single talk (proclaiming) would do the trick, no one moment of personal coaching (admonishing) would turn anyone into the likeness of Christ and no individual lesson (teaching) would transform his hearers. But taken together, repeated day after day, it would not be long before changes start to be seen.

This is what Paul gave his life to and it took consistent focussed effort on is part to bring it about. Step by step, day by day even moment by moment he could say ‘To this end I labour, struggling with all Christ’s energy which so powerfully works within me.’

So as you walk through today, I pray you will know that bit by bit transformation in to the likeness of Jesus.

Prayer

Praise God for the people he places in our lives to proclaim, admonish and teach

Admit: Is there anything I need to confess to him today?

Come: Bring your requests to him now – especially pray for …

Thank: What particular things can you thank him for today?