Singing in the Shower

Aug. 17

Read: Colossians 3:16,

Singing in the Shower

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…” (v. 16)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”… not just “dwell in you” but rather “dwell in you RICHLY”. I don’t think that I have always realized how rich, energizing, and most of all CRUCIAL that the “word of Christ” actually is for the life of a believer. I am quite thankful that more and more of my time with other Christians is marked by conversations about God’s word. Just last night I ended up staying late at the home of my mother in-law and parents talking about the scriptures. My wife had texted me asking what was keeping me so late… and then asking me if I was caught up talking about the bible! I laughed… because it was true. The older I get, the more and more I find joy in the word of God “dwelling richly in me” and finding it “dwelling richly in others”.

Like anything else in life that we want to flourish or grow… it takes time and energy. It is funny to me that the verse calls us to “let” this happen… “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” It seems to me that there are ways that we could squander or stunt this “dwelling within us” and that there are ways we might “let it happen”. The practical outworking of this advice immediately follows the admonition: “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom”.

As God’s children, the word of God is worth talking about! It can and should be a part of the conversation… a part of what we talk with each other about and how we “teach” each other and “admonish” each other. The word here translated admonish has at its heart the notion of “warning someone”. We “teach and warn” one another against the backdrop of the word which is dwelling in us richly. It is sprinkled in our conversation. This is both the “word of Christ” as the scriptures and the “word of Christ” as in his continuing to speak to us as the head and us as his body. The word of Christ is said to “dwell” in us and dwelling is done by something that is ALIVE. There is a unique energy to the words that come from Christ. They are alive in some way… they are “dwelling” in us not in scarcity but “richly”. The “word of Christ” is alive and dwelling within us because CHRIST IS ALIVE AND DWELLING WITHIN US.

I love how this pours over into “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”. This is normal in the life of God’s people. I have to ask myself, what am I singing along to? When do I sing… if at all!?! There is life, encouragement, and growth in singing these “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. The whole thing is done with “thankfulness in your hearts”. It is so straightforward, but a clear mark of God’s people is the willingness and ability to be thankful.

I know these devos tackle some heavy ideas at times, but this morning I just wanted to shine a light on this simple phrase and call to action: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”. The word of Christ is ALIVE in you… speaking to you… calling you to SING… calling you to THANKFULNESS. The word of Christ in you has something to say through you to teach others and warn them… and they have something to teach YOU and warn YOU about. Listen to some “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” sometime today and sing along with them. (Go ahead… sing in your car or on a walk with your headphones on… it is ok!) Take sometime to listen to what Christ is saying in you. Pick out a small verse and memorize it today… Colossians 3:16 is a fine one! No matter what, “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (v.17) Love you guys! -JDP