Leviticus 6; Psalm 5-6; Proverbs 21: Colossians 4
As Paul closes his letter to the Colossians he gives some very clear instruction. In verse 2 he instructs us to “devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” In verse 5 he tells us to, “conduct yourselves with wisdom towards outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
I looked up the definition of the word “devote” and it certainly puts things into perspective, “give all or a large part of one's time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause).” I feel a little bit like the disciples in the garden whom Jesus asked to watch and pray with him. He kept finding them sleeping instead.
As for verse 5, we certainly need to take those words to heart as we deal with a world that is increasingly hostile towards believers. It is certainly something that would set us apart from what seems to have become the current norm of harshness so prevalent in conversations these days.
Grace, peace, and mercy,
Debra