Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

(Colossians 1:24–2:3)

Have You Ever Wondered How You Fit Into God’s Plan?

I think all of us have asked this question at some point. Where do I belong? What’s my purpose? Why me?

I remember back in middle school, being bussed to a new school during desegregation. My classmates were divided by skin color—light-skinned kids went to one school, dark-skinned kids went to another. Then a few of us were chosen to be transferred so that the schools would look “more balanced.” I was one of those kids.

I didn’t feel like I fit. Walking into that building, I felt the stares. I felt like an outsider. I kept wondering, Why do I have to be the one sent here? What’s the point?

Have you ever felt that way—like you didn’t belong, like you were out of place, like you weren’t sure God had a purpose for you? Even now, as an adult, as a student, as someone following God’s call, I still ask, Lord, do You really have a plan in all of this?

The good news is that according to Colossians 1:24–2:3, the answer is yes. Not only does God have a plan, but you are included in it. Every believer is part of God’s mission. You are not on the sidelines.

The Mission Revealed

Paul writes in Colossians that he has been called to proclaim “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people” (Col. 1:26). What is this mystery?

It’s Jesus. The mystery of salvation—the hope of glory—is Christ Himself.

For centuries, the people of Israel waited and longed for God’s promise to be fulfilled. The Gentiles, meanwhile, were outsiders to those promises. They were considered “far off.” And then Jesus came, and everything changed. Through Him, the doors were flung open. God’s plan of redemption wasn’t just for one group of people—it was for the world.

I imagine those early Gentile believers, hearing Paul’s words. Maybe they had wondered, Do we really belong? Are we second-class Christians? And here comes Paul saying, No, you are fully included. The mystery is revealed, and it includes you. Christ in you—the hope of glory.

That still blows my mind. God’s mission isn’t just for “the special ones.” It’s for all of us.

Why Do We Keep Quiet About What Should Be Shared?

Paul says the mystery is revealed. The gospel is not hidden. And yet sometimes, I wonder why we treat it like it is.

Here’s a side thought: Isn’t it funny how we guard secrets people entrust us with, but then we keep silent about the one thing we’ve been commanded to share? If a friend shares something private, we know not to spread it. But when it comes to the gospel, we sometimes act like it’s classified information.

Why? Fear, maybe. Insecurity. Feeling unqualified. Maybe you’ve thought, Who am I to share Jesus? I don’t have all the answers.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need all the answers. You just need to share your story of what Christ has done in your life. The mystery is no longer hidden. It’s meant to be shared.

The Role of Suffering in Our Mission

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it. Right before he talks about the mystery revealed, he talks about his own suffering:

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24).

That’s a heavy statement. Paul isn’t saying Christ’s suffering wasn’t enough for salvation. He’s saying that suffering is part of following Jesus and being on mission with Him.

And this is the part most of us would rather skip. We want purpose, but not pain. We want calling, but not conflict. We want God’s plan, but not the hard road that comes with it.

But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s often in the struggle that God shapes us most deeply.

Think about it. How many of the lessons you’ve carried with you for years came out of hard seasons—loss, disappointment, betrayal, waiting? Those are the places where faith gets real. Those are the places where you learn to rely on God in a way you never would if life were easy.

Paul knew that. His prison cell became a pulpit. His chains became a testimony. His suffering became part of God’s mission.

Our Struggles Shape Our Stories

One of the most powerful ways we can join God’s mission is by sharing how He has worked in our own struggles.

I think back to times when I felt like an outsider. That middle school bus ride. Walking into a room where I didn’t belong. Even now, being in spaces where I wonder if I’m equipped enough, smart enough, or strong enough. In those moments, I’ve learned something about God that I couldn’t have learned otherwise: He is faithful. He is with me. He has a purpose.

And because I’ve walked through those moments, I can sit with someone else who feels out of place and say, I get it. I’ve been there. Let me tell you what God showed me.

That’s the beauty of the gospel. It doesn’t require us to be perfect preachers or theologians. It just asks us to be storytellers of grace.

Mystery, Wisdom, and Simplicity

In Jewish tradition, a “mystery” wasn’t about being spooky or puzzling—it was about hidden truth that only the wise could understand. Once revealed, it became simple, obvious even.

Paul says that the mystery has now been revealed in Christ. The gospel is not complicated. It’s not reserved for scholars or insiders. It’s wisdom available to everyone.

I like to think of it like learning to budget. For someone who has never been taught, money management feels like a mystery. But once you learn, the secret is simple: live within your means, plan ahead, spend wisely. What was once hidden now makes sense.

That’s how it is with the gospel. What once seemed distant or confusing is now clear in Christ: God loves us, Christ died for us, and in Him we are forgiven and set free.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

If the gospel is revealed, if suffering is part of the mission, and if each of us has a story to share, then what does this mean for our daily lives?

1. You belong in God’s plan. No matter your background, mistakes, or feelings of inadequacy—you are included.
2. You have a story to share. Your struggles, your faith, your journey—they’re all part of God’s mission.
3. You don’t have to wait until you “arrive.” Paul shared Christ from prison. You can share Christ from wherever you are.
4. Your mission field may be closer than you think. It could be your family, your coworkers, your classmates, or even your online community.

A Personal Challenge

So here’s my challenge to you (and to myself):

Think about one struggle you’ve faced where God showed up. Maybe it was a season of loneliness, a health scare, a financial burden, or a relationship that fell apart. How did God meet you in that moment?

Now, ask God to show you someone who needs to hear that part of your story.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to be polished. Just be honest. Share what God has done.

That’s how the mystery gets revealed again and again—not as new hidden knowledge, but as living testimony in everyday life.

Closing Thoughts

Paul’s words to the Colossians remind us that the gospel is for everyone, that suffering is not wasted, and that our place in God’s mission is secure.

So the next time you feel like an outsider, remember—you are already included. The next time you wonder if your struggles matter, remember—God is using them to shape you and equip you. And the next time you hesitate to share your faith, remember—the mystery is no longer hidden. Christ in you is the hope of glory.

You fit into God’s plan because His plan includes you. And the world needs your story.