JESUS: FIRST IN EVERYTHING

Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And 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. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and 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.

You will never experience the fullness of joy that you were created to know until Jesus has first place in every area of your life.

Hang on to that for a minute. First place . . .

* In my home.

* In my choices for entertainment.

* In the way I use my money.

* In my career.

* In my thoughts.

* In my decisions.

* In my marriage.

* In my singleness.

* In my relationships.

* In my dreams for the future.

I will never experience the fullness of joy that I was created to know until I put Jesus first in every area of my life. A lot of people would subscribe to that in their minds, at least. But I wonder how many of us would truly embrace that principle in our behavior. That doesn't come easily.

We live in a world that is governed by the rule of being first. We say, "How come you get to be first in line?" Kids say, "How come she gets to change the channel?" Husbands, wives, co-workers, friends, neighbors all say, "Me before you. I can't serve you until my needs are met." We put a big emphasis on "I deserve to be first because I was here first."

But if you want to talk about super-seniority, consider Jesus the Lord. Colossians 1 says He existed before time, before creation, before us. "He is before all things . . . . So that in everything He might have the supremacy" (vv.17-18).

While deserving to be first in everything, Jesus has chosen to come after us. In His persistent love, He pursues us in spite of ourselves. The next time you sin, or reject or ignore Him, think how amazing it is that He doesn't simply walk away and say, "Forget you!" He is supreme, yet He remains faithful and pours out His love and grace on us, asking only that we display His glory and make Him known.

Jesus--first in the universe, first in your thoughts, first in your priorities, first in everything. --James MacDonald

DESTINATION POINTS

* What burden am I carrying that the Lord Jesus could carry better?
* What problem am I facing that I can afford to face without complete, continuous dependence on Him?
* What sin have I been struggling with that I haven't turned away from for His glory?

bottom line: Our life's purpose is putting Jesus first.

soul journey