Colossians 1:11

  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy 

Colossians 1:11 (ESV)

A little under two thousand years ago Paul wrote a letter to the Colossians and prayed that they would be, "strengthened with all power, according to [God's] glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy." Back in that time, many Greek and Roman people would pray to idols for power, wealth, and prosperity. This line of prayer was meant to remind the  Colossians that God is more than willing to impart the power of the Holy Spirit upon us all as long as we conduct ourselves in a way that gives Him glory.
When I ponder how this verse applies to my life, God shows me all of the idols I am hanging on to. All the areas I try to derive strength from to live a happy life. In the past I have felt like I need success, money, and status to be happy. I took school very seriously because I felt like it was my ticket to all of that. My devotional and prayer time only came if I had finished everything else first. Sometimes not even until I finished a Pretty Little Liars episode. I had all my ducks in a row exactly how I wanted them. But I wasn't fulfilled. What a surprise.
While I am here, I am working toward building a solid foundation in Christ while I don't have all of life's distractions nagging for my attention. It is my prayer that I can let go of the idols of success, money, and status and cling to the things I know will fulfill me. God promises to fill me with the Holy Spirit, He calls me His daughter, and He has a place prepared for me in Heaven with Him. There isn't anything in this world that can give me more success, riches, and status than that. He sacrificed His life. The least I can do is sacrifice my time.

Personal Application
Tonight I will make a list of all the things I am tempted to put before God back home. I hope this opens my eyes to the areas where I can change my priorities.