Colossians 1:21-2:7 For so long in my own life I did not understand the mystery Paul speaks of in his letter to the Colossians. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior at nine years of age, and from nine to twenty-six years of age I struggled to walk in the ways of the Lord. I would do well for a season, and then I would find myself drifting. Finally the day came when I was twenty-six and that mystery began to be unveiled to me.
I was at a retreat, and the leader told all attending to find a quiet spot around the lake. Our instructions were to be still and quiet and ask the Lord questions and then wait for answers. This was new to me because my prayer life before this time was always a one-way conversation with the Lord. I came to Him with my needs and requests, and then hung the prayer line up in His face. I couldn’t wait to sit down with the Lord because there was a big question I wanted to ask Him, and I hoped He would give me a straight answer. The big question was, “Lord, what is wrong with my life?”
When I asked Him this question, I sat on a log by the lake and waited for the answer. After waiting only a few moments I heard this answer spoken not in an audible voice but spoken to my spiritual ears. “Linda, what is wrong with your life is that you have been trying to earn My love. I gave My love to you freely two thousand years ago when I died on the cross for you. You need to receive My love today and quit trying to work for Me. Instead, let Me work through you. Rest, relax and receive My love today. If you did nothing but sit on that log the rest of your life, I would still love you.”
On that day the mystery (Christ in you the hope of glory) became a reality in my life. I realized that day that it was God who worked within me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. No longer would I be working for Him, but He would be working through me. On that special day I became rooted in His love and established in His faith instead. I understood that His love within me could love anyone through me. No longer did I have to struggle to love others. I understood that it was His faith within me that would enable me to be steadfast in faith throughout my life. What joy flooded my soul on that special day.
Is Christ in you today? Do you realize what this means? Within you dwells the One by whom and to whom all that is created was created. Within you dwells the miracle worker, the lover of every soul, the giver of life abundant, the forgiver of sins, the restorer of the broken heart, the healer of sickness and disease, the Prince of Peace, the breaker of every yoke of bondage. Within you dwells the One most glorious. Christ in you, the hope of glory.
READ: Jeremiah 4:19-6:14; Colossians 1:21-2:7; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 24:23-25
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