24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Watching a baby turtle (known as a "hatchling") struggle out of the nest and make its way to the water is an emotional experience. Everything from footprints to driftwood and crabs are obstacles. Birds, raccoons, ghost crabs and fish are just a few of the predators these vulnerable creatures face. Only one out of a thousand will survive to adulthood.

In Christ, this is Paul’s pastoral heart, hearing of so many in the Colossian church fall prey to the Gnostic’s heresies – shifting the truth of Christ and their hope in Him.  As an elder and a parent, nothing is as important to me as seeing faith and preeminent love for Christ take root in our people and children.  It is one thing to watch our loved ones struggle with sin, it is wholly another thing to see our beloved compromise the truth to live with sin.  If there’s anything worth suffering for, it is to “make the word of God fully known” and to see our people “reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery.” - to see the hatchlings of our church make it to the waters of God.  For this reason, we prioritize our schedules and get on our knees - together and alone in the closets.  We strive in His stead and in His strength - giving us joy in our striving!