The importance of packing well

Paul’s “packing” guidelines in Colossians 1

Hello! In the last post I let you know we were moving. We are now in our home–and, as God always does, He taught me a little something in the process. Let’s see what we can discover together.

The science of packing

You know, I’m a pretty good packer. Wadded packing paper, bubble wrap, towels, styrofoam plates, pillows–all are fair game for filling in gaps in boxes. Consequently, even when things are stacked several boxes high, I rarely end up with anything broken. In fact, I haven’t unpacked a broken item from any box over the last month.

That’s not a credit to me. It has more to do with science. Gases (like air) compress with pressure because their molecules are further apart. Therefore, boxes with airspace inside will probably cave when stacked. 

Solids (like books) have molecules that are already tightly compressed, so they withstand the pressure better.  The more “solid” I can make the inside of the box, the less likely the items are to break in the moving (and the stacking-in-the-garage-awaiting-unpacking) process. The pressure from outside must be really strong to overcome the strength and pressure inside.

Spiritual packing

When I read Paul’s writings, I see evidence of spiritual “packing.” 

Do you see it? For this new church where he had probably never been, Paul is filling the air-filled knowledge gaps with solid truths. Truths we can fill our lives with, as well:

• “You…once were alienated” but you are “now reconciled” by Christ’s death.
• The “reconciliation” brought about by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection makes us “holy, blameless, and above reproach,” qualifying us for heaven. It’s nothing we do. This work was done by Christ.
• “Faith” is necessary–not just to become a Christian, but to live as a Christian. Knowing Christ and believing that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do keeps us “stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel.”

In our lives, the more spiritual “gaps” we fill with truths like these, the more “solid” we become. The pressures of the outside world may ding us a little, but the strength inside keeps us from caving.

Closing

So fill your life with these truths about yourself, as well as the ones in the previous verses about the preeminence (superior excellence) of Christ (Colossians 1:15-20). Purposefully strengthen your faith to withstand exterior pressures.

And if you know someone who needs “solidifying,” Paul prayed a prayer for the Colossian Christians in 1:9-14. It’s a powerful prayer to pray for others and for yourself. In fact, I just posted a memorization tool for verses 9-12 here so you can pray those words anytime and anywhere.

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So what about you? If you view your life as a packing box being prepared to move to heaven, what “air spaces” need to be filled? What scriptures help fill those spaces and make you more “solid” in your Christian life? Please share below! I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Until next time, live with joy!

©2025 Catherine L Hill. All rights reserved.