“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother”

Colossians 1:1

The Word of God is a seed. Every Word of God has the whole life – the whole DNA – of God in it. In our
first verse in Colossians we are going to focus on the precious word, “will” and see how even this one
word holds unfathomable depths of opportunity to know more of God’s Life.

Did you know that God has a will?

The phrase “God’s will” has become something of a catchphrase. It is something we know is good but we
don’t understand very well. Try to cast aside the hurried phrase ‘God’s-will” and instead try this. Think of
God. Then think of the word will. God’s. Will. Think of God’s will as God’s goal. The term “Where
there’s a will, there’s a way” is true in God’s case. God has a burning desire, a goal, an intent, a
motivation. Throughout God’s biography, the Bible, we get glimpses of what motivates God and what
His goal is. He wants us to know what motivates Him – He wants us to be “filled with the knowledge of
His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Something motivated God to make Paul an apostle.
Paul knew that he was simply another character in God’s biography who was sent by God to fulfill God’s
desire.

We often think of God’s will in relation to ourselves, but have we considered God’s will in relation to God
Himself? Most of us have probably asked the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” But have we
ever asked, “What is God’s will for God?”

Have you ever had a vision and willed for it to come about? A will without a purpose lacks order and
desire. It is a vague and weak wish or want. However, a will backed by purpose has power. From the
beginning of time God has had a hope – a vision, desire, and goal – that He has been willing to come to
pass. He works all things after the counsel of His own will.

We struggle to meditate on the will of God because it seems like such a mystery. Ephesians 1:9 even uses
the phrase, “The mystery of His will.” But right before this phrase, we read something else; “Having
made known unto us the mystery of His will.” God’s will – His intention, motivation, goal, and purpose –
have been made known! Yes, God has made His will known, but that doesn’t mean that you and I know it
yet! We need to learn what His will is. Paul says later on in this chapter, “For this cause. . . since the day
we heard it do not cease to pray . . .and to desire that you might be filled with the full knowledge of His
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

The mystery of His will is that in God’s timing He would head up all things in Christ.

This is God’s will. And we must be filled with the full knowing of His will through wisdom and spiritual
understanding.

As we take our mysterious journey through the Word of God in Colossians, let us be watchful and
attentive to listen for God’s voice sharing with us His will, goal, and purpose. He is leading us to glory.
We know God and His will through His Word and by receiving the power of His Holy Spirit imparting
Christ in us. As we strive according to His working Who works in us mightily, we are seeing the mystery
of God’s will being explained and expressed in our lives.

Lord, Your will be done! Show us Your goals and fill us with Your power to see Your goals expressed
and fulfilled.

-Bethany F