The Letter wk2

As I have been reading this passage this week—-the reoccurring theme that has jumped out to me—-and the words that I have specifically needed to hear this week is about control. I know it may be shocking to many of you that I have control issues (ha, ha). This is a continual battle for me. However, the words in Colossians have been timely.

First, verse 17 “He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.” When I am overwhelmed with life—that is the promise I have. However, I wonder for a non-believer if that makes sense to them when they look at the chaos of the world around them—-are things really being held together in their eyes?

Second, verse 29 “To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS ENERGY, which so powerfully works in me.” When I attempt to do anything on my own, I struggle or completely fall flat on my face in failure. Starting my day with God, rather than rushing into it, fills me with his energy and his focus. This may sound strange but I am reminded of this every time I take a spinning class at the gym. The instructor is a Christian (the gym is in a church, therefore, he has the freedom to do this) and he is constantly reminding us as we are climbing those dreaded hills and our legs are like jelly, that we need to go to the depths of our physical strength to climb this hill, just like we need to gather all our energy/strength from God to get through each day—not just by my shear will or control. (The best part is that the instructor can do this without sounding all corny and churchy in a spinning class).

Finally, I love verses 21-22 “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Theses words came to have real meaning and impact several years ago and they still carry that encouragement today. In light of the many behaviors that I exhibited in the past, that I had a very hard time forgiving myself for, these words of being totally accepted by Christ, without those “past sins” on my forehead, was freeing. I was finally able to stop beating myself up over those sins, finally able to stop trying to “fix” myself without God’s help, and finally able to accept the forgiveness that God had already given to me.

Colossians is one of my favorite books in scripture. It is like a crown jewel of the Christian faith, especially when you understand that the author, Paul, said “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Gal 1:11-12) This isn’t simply a letter from Paul to a church, but the revelation of Jesus Christ himself given to Paul to communicate to us!

There is much revealed regarding Jesus Christ in Colossians, all of it equally important, and too much to discuss in this blog forum. However, I would point to one thing that really stands out to me:

Do you know “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints…God has chosen to make known…the glorious riches of this mystery, WHICH IS: [Fill in the blank! What is this mystery? Answer: see the rest of the verse in Colossians 1:27…it is incredible news] And what does it mean exactly? Something to really ponder and pray and discuss…