We ended our week on Friday studying how the word of God in its fullness is a mystery that was hidden for ages and generations and then made known in Christ. The glorious riches of this mystery – the buried treasure as we seek to know God’s word – is that Christ lives in us. After the weekend I have had, I woke up this morning eager to enter God’s presence and enjoy my morning coffee with the One who remains the same when it seems life is one change after another. I went back and read where I had ended on Friday:
It is in God’s presence that He makes known “the glorious riches of this mystery, which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory” (v.27 NIV). It is our union with Christ, our intimate walk that gives us hope – hope for us and for those watching us. So the secret of the mystery is to allow God to bring us into His presence and then remain there, allowing God to fill us so that He can work through us. It is in the “remaining” that we continue in our faith and produce a life that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way.
Colossians 2 continues with this same thought. “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown that mystery!” – 2:2-3 (The Message)
This weekend our lives took a turn we were not anticipating and I have to admit I spent most of the last two days trying to get my head to stop spinning. I needed to have conversations with several people that required me to explain something that I simply cannot put into words. The only thing I am confident about at this point is that I gave my life to God a long time ago, surrendering to His sovereignty and committing that I am willing to go anywhere He wants me to go and do anything He wants me to do.
Understanding God’s plan is sometimes a mystery but it was encouraging to be reminded this morning that in seeking to understand the mystery there is treasure to be found – treasures of wisdom and knowledge, confidence and rest. I sure could use all four of those right now! But my prayer this morning is not so much for myself, but more for others.
Precious Father, you know how my heart is conflicted this morning. I am thankful that You are still God and that You are still in charge and worthy to be trusted. You have placed a large responsibility into the hands of our family and we are grateful for Your blessing as you enlarge the place of our tent (Isaiah 54:2).
At the same time my heart grieves for the body of believers You have given us the privilege of serving among for the last 15 months. I agonize for them and want them to be “encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and understanding” (Col. 2:2-3 NLT) – which is exactly what we all need right now.
So Lord, we enter Your presence with confidence that you will lavish these gifts of wisdom and understanding on all of us as we seek Your will for our lives, as we surrender to Your sovereignty and trust in Your provision. Amen.