Sometimes our greatest problem isn’t that our problems are too big. It’s that our view of Jesus has become too small.

Without realizing it, Jesus can slowly become just one part of our lives. We have family, work, responsibilities, finances, relationships, plans, problems, and somewhere in the middle of all of it, we try to find a place for Jesus.

But Paul gives us a radically different picture. Jesus is not simply part of our lives. Jesus is above everything. Paul writes:

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (ESV)

Think about the magnitude of those words.

Everything in heaven and on earth, everything visible and invisible, every power and authority, every galaxy and every molecule exists through Jesus and for Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God, the Head of the Church, the firstborn from the dead, and Paul declares that in everything He is preeminent.

In other words, Jesus doesn’t simply deserve a place in our lives. He deserves first place. And this same Jesus who holds all creation together is the One who redeemed us, forgave us, reconciled us to God, and made peace through the blood of His cross.

Grace is free to us, but grace cost Jesus everything.

Yet Paul takes this incredible truth even further. The Jesus who reigns above creation isn’t distant from you.Paul reveals the mystery that had been hidden for generations:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (ESV)

Let that truth settle into your heart today.

When you are tempted, Christ is in you.

When you are hurting, Christ is in you.

When you're still waiting for the answer, Christ is in you.

When you've reached the end of your own strength, Christ is in you.

And when life rattles you, circumstances overwhelm you, or other voices begin whispering, “Is God really good? Is He listening? Does He care? Is Jesus really enough?” Paul reminds us where to look.

Look again at Jesus.

The One who holds everything together is holding you.

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Tim

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Living The Word

Take some time this week to honestly consider the place Jesus occupies in your everyday life. Has Jesus gradually become one part of your life, or is He truly at the center of it?

Think about the things currently competing for your attention, trust, affection, and energy. Your responsibilities may be important. Your concerns may be legitimate. Your problems may be real. But none of them deserve the place that belongs to Jesus.

This week, intentionally bring those areas back under His leadership. When anxiety begins to rise, remind yourself: Jesus is above this. When you feel inadequate: Christ is in me. When circumstances feel unstable: Jesus is holding me. When other voices sound convincing: Jesus is enough.

And when you don’t know what comes next, keep doing what Paul encouraged the Colossians to do: continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel.

This Week: Reflect and/or Journal

• What currently competes with Jesus for first place in my attention, trust, or priorities?

• Where am I trying to rely on my own strength instead of living from the reality of “Christ in you”?

• How would my response to that circumstance change if I truly believed that the One who holds everything together is also holding me?