I listened to the news this morning on the drive from the gym to the office, as is my practice. News of a $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street, the mortgage crisis, North Korea's nuclear program, the threatening collaboration of Russia and Venezuela, violence in Iraq, astronomical oil prices. If we let it, this stuff can wrap itself tightly around our heads and make us unable to operate, let alone move forward with hope and perseverance.
As I considered these things, my mind was drawn to Colossians 1. Verses 15-23 is actually an early Christian hymn. St. Paul the Apostle was a songwriter. And he felt that what he was writing to the church in the little, insignificant town of Colosse was important enough to set to melody and rhythm. So like buying a new CD on the day it’s released, let’s unwrap this and listen in and discover what is so beautiful about these lyrics. Let’s try hard to hear the melody and rhythm.
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But 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— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
As we are bombarded with bad news, we must turn our attention to Christ, the one who holds all things together, Jesus, the source of creation and reconciliation. I am not suggesting that we ignore economics and politics and foreign affairs and energy. Quite the contrary. We must engage these critical issues of our time as citizens of heaven, praying 'heaven on earth,' and living in submission to Christ, the supreme one who holds all things together.
Jesus, have mercy.
Absolutely agree Dan! Great post of perspective.
Posted by: Sam & Wendi | October 08, 2008 at 11:38 AM