Chuck Larsen

In Colossians, Chapter 3, Paul tells us to take off our old man and put on the new man. We should put on, “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” Believe it or not, these things are immediately visible to others around us. Our demeanor and our appearance make our “clothing” readily apparent. Paul turns to the importance of our dress in regard to outsiders.  This is not a derogatory term, as some suggest.  It probably refers to those not in our group. Of course, that’s what we’d naturally get from the word “outsider.”

Verse 5 of Chapter 4 teaches us that we should “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” “Walk” is often used in reference to conduct or lifestyle. We should live our lives thoughtfully around others. We should be exemplary in every area of our lives. The King James correctly translates the next phrase “making the best use of the time,” as “redeeming” the time. But the idea is the same. It means every contact counts. I think Paul is emphasizing the well-worn saying, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” Ben Johnson uses John Wayne as an example. He says, “John Wayne’s dramatic rifle-slinging entrance in John Ford’s 1939 classic film Stagecoach is frequently cited as launching his career. Before, he was a B-list Western actor. Afterward, having been introduced to mainstream audiences, he went on to become one of the most iconic actors in cinema history. In other words, first impressions matter.” Ben goes on to point out how important first impressions are by pointing to the fact that David, in the Old Testament, makes his screen debut when he stands up to Goliath. That remains the thing he is remembered for in spite of the many failures that followed.

Let me get real personal. People’s first impressions are always visual. The most immediate first impression we make on others in our first contact is our dress and appearance. One writer said, “The impressions made in the first three seconds are so vivid that it takes another three minutes to add fifty percent more impression—whether negative or positive. Since those first three seconds are almost entirely visual, our appearance determines the immediate receptivity of our audience. So if we make a poor first impression, even before we open our mouth, it takes a long time and a lot of work to overcome it.”

When I made my first communion at Blessed Sacrament Grade School in north Omaha, we were given prayer books and rosaries and taught that prayer was really important. We had to have memorized the Hail Mary and the Our Father as part of the initiation rites of receiving communion. I even learned the Latin phrases necessary to become an Altar Boy. I was taught how to say the rosary and would say it often. My great aunt, Sister Mary Perpetua, gave me a special crucifix that would slide open revealing a special rosary. After going through Catholic grade school and Catholic High School, I learned the rituals and prayers well. I no longer subscribe to the recitation of memorized prayers over and over, but I still hold strong to the importance of prayer. I often include what I learned in my prayers. When I give thanks for my food, I always pray. I do it consistently with my grandsons. I want them to remember me by this prayer. “Dear Lord, thank you for filling the world with color and giving us eyes. Thank you for filling the world with music and giving us ears. Thank you for filling the world with good things to eat and giving us the ability to taste and enjoy our food. So, then (As I learned in School), Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Paul certainly recognized the importance of consistent prayer lives. He gives us some interesting instructions on prayer in Colossians chapter 4. He begins by saying, “Continue steadfastly in prayer…” But Paul’s instructions on prayer continue. He wants us to make our prayers relevant to our lives.. He tells us “…being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” The “being watchful” phrase refers to alertness to the times and situations around us. We should know what to pray for and who to pray for as determined by our life situations and the world situations as a whole. We should know what’s going on in the lives of others and with our nation, our community, and our church. We should intercede for all according to their needs. At the same time, our prayer must contain the element of thanksgiving. We should see God’s work in the world, our country, our churches, and our lives and acknowledge Him as the source of all our blessings.

Another very important item of prayer must be the advancement of the Gospel. Paul continues his instructions regarding prayer by saying, “Pray for us also, that God would open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ… that I may make it clear and know what I ought to say.”

The older I get, the more nostalgic I get. My fondest memories are of the home in which I grew up on 25^th & Himebaugh in North Omaha. It was far from luxurious, but it was comfortable, and the five of us fit very well there. Mom and Dad had their chairs in the living room and at the dinner table. We would never even think about sitting in their chairs. We respected their places. We three kids all had our places, too, and we were happy with them. I heard my mother and father say many times, “There’s no place like home.” Mom even had a plaque on the wall that said that. It was “home, sweet home” for all of us.

It’s that way with Kathy and me in our home. We are very comfortable in our home. We don’t have to perform for anyone! We don’t have to impress anyone! We can really be ourselves. After 54 years together, we are really comfortable together in our home. The boys come over when they want to and bring the grandkids. We’ll fix dinner, have a game night, and laugh a lot. We’re pretty comfortable with our lives now. Whenever we are away from home, even for just a night, we’re always glad when we get home. It’s where we are most comfortable. When Paul says, In Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…with thankfulness in your hearts,” he means it should be “at home” with us. That’s what the word “dwell” means. Christ’s word should walk in, sit down in the den, put its feet up on the coffee table, and we should feel comfortable with it. It is not a stranger but a part of the family. It should have access to every room in my house.

I remember the first time we invited the “Word of Christ” into our home. It took quite an adjustment. I wasn’t quite as comfortable with it as Kathy was. She was raised with it as part of her life. I was raised to view it as something that belonged only to ordained clergy. But here it was. It wanted my attention. It had certain expectations that I wasn’t accustomed to. It felt strange at first, but now, after many years of living together, I’m at home with the Bible, God’s Word.  C. S. Lewis once made a great observation about fish. He asked if the fish were uncomfortable being wet. If they were, wouldn’t that indicate they weren’t at home in the sea? I would translate the passage, “Let the word of Christ be at home with you richly…”