October 26, 2017
“So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe – people and things, animals and atoms – get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” Colossians 1:18-20 The Message
We live in a broken and dislocated world trying to fix itself with broken and dislocated parts. We share the same sin-infected .. sin-weary .. and sin-scarred resumes. It doesn’t always look the same. Greater than your struggle is the true reality that Jesus is indeed so spacious and roomy that your life in any condition will find room to heal .. become whole .. and truly alive. Is it that simple .. really? Yes. It’s simple enough to be dismissed as irrelevant. It’s simple enough to be distorted as narrow and judgmental. It’s even simple enough to be discounted as ancient and absent of real power. Simple? Except by those whose lives have been found and put back together in Him. You discover that it wasn’t you that put you back together. You begin to see fingerprints and nail-scarred impressions all through your life. You realize they were there long before you ever recognized the first print of God’s grace in your life. Jesus is the life you are meant to live. The message of His life doesn’t fight for attention. His name doesn’t demand equal time. What He offers is free. Simple? Not really. Sin is only simple to God. He’s never surprised at the paths we try to forge without Him. The fact is God loved you before you had any idea. He didn’t quit when you ran. He won’t give up you when you fail. He did walk out once. He left your old life in a grave so you could walk into a new life in Christ .. with Christ .. and for Christ. That’s a pretty good trade. It’s that simple. It only takes a moment…
“The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.” Colossians 1:27 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Formerly Dislocated Followers of Jesus (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
