Drenched in Jesus’ Beauty

Sometimes when I read a passage from a new translation, I’ll go to the familiar ones just to make sure it’s the same verse. I experienced this when I came across Colossians 3:17 in The Passion Translation. I’m used to reading this in the NLT (New Living Translation): “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father,” or the NIV (New International Version): “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Here it is in TPT: “Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!”

What a difference to read this from a new perspective. Thinking that everything I do and say can be drenched in Jesus’ beauty, as well as his love and grace, makes me really want to live like this. I suppose being a representative of Jesus and doing everything in his name should have the same effect, but it doesn’t. The visual of being drenched – bathed, saturated, soaked, steeped – is much more powerful. 

It makes me think of that ice water challenge from a few years ago (I could never do that!). If a bucket of cold water were thrown on me when I started to do or say something I shouldn’t, I sure would stop! But being drenched by his beauty is really a more positive thing – my actions and words can be filled with his beauty, and it’s a choice. It’s something I can choose as I go through my day, to be saturated and soaked in his beauty, love and grace.

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