Christ is the Lord and God for us
Colossians 1:15-23Vs 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together
We’ve all been traversing through a time of uncertainty and chaos with COVID-19 well over a month now. Everything, whether family and/or friends, our career, all that gave us a sense of identity and worth has indefinitely been placed on hold. We have been confined to our homes, feeling incapacitated. Many of us who call ourselves followers and believers of Christ seem to have lost hope and are questioning God as to why this is happening to people who have been faithfully praying and attending church and seemingly doing the right things. Not one of us, in our wildest imaginations thought we would ever have to observe passion week without partaking in the services, be unable to participate in Holy Communion on Passover before we celebrate Easter with Christ’s elements and then go on to be with our families and friends. The very first Easter was similar to how we celebrated Easter this year. The disciples were in their own homes, scared, doubting what was to come. No doubt all this is infuriating, upsetting and painful; however, are we able to see the light amidst the darkness that our world is presently encompassed in?
When the church in Colossae was beginning to lose sight of God and their purpose as people of God, Paul writes the letter to Colossians, from prison, to encourage them to turn away from giving into the pressures they were tempted by and remind them about their love and devotion for God the Father and Jesus the Son. I’m a firm believer in practice what you preach. Paul, is genuinely worried for the people of a church he didn’t even help to build. He is worried for their souls and thus he writes to rejuvenate their spirit in Christ Jesus. Paul was not enjoying the luxuries of this world or free from burdens as he was writing this letter. He had been imprisoned yet again for trying to spread the good news and as he is sitting inside of a dark cell, he is writing with vigor and joy to remind the people of the goodness of God through Christ Jesus because that is his hope which allows him to live and not just exist. While we are quarantined, what is it that keeps us going against the tide instead of going with the tide? We hope to return to normalcy in due time; but, what if things never go back to the normal we were once used to?
A lot of us have found ourselves existing in hopelessness, being crippled by fear rather than moving forward in faith. We as believers, are the church of God. The Church is not limited to a location or even a building. Even if we are not receiving communion by the celebrant, we are able to have fellowship with our community of believers, partake in bible studies, pray and break bread together and commune with Christ in our midst over the phone or through video call. With the advancement in technologies, we are able to see our loved ones and communicate with them easily. We are able to stream worship services and sermons offered by different churches even if physically we cannot attend one. We still have all freedom to call upon our living, sovereign God even in this time of suffering and helplessness. Humanity and compassion are seen and experienced on so many different levels by people all over the world. These are all examples of that I have been able to count and praise God for during this crisis.
Are we allowing the pressures of this world, our culture, our pride to define what we can and cannot do? How are we utilizing this time in confinement to help not just our family, but our friends and our community? How do we remain faithful to God in this season of calamity and despair? Are we able to turn to God’s word to draw strength from His promises that come what may, He will never leave us nor forsake us? That there is absolutely nothing in all of creation that can separate us from His unfailing and infinite love? Are we able to trust that God himself will fight for us? As we tread forward, may we be reminded that we have a living hopethat God who reconciled himself to us through Christ Jesus, will hear our prayers, see our tears, turn to us and save us.
PRAYER
Abba, we thank you that you are aware of all that we are going through. Remind us that even though we walk through the valley of shadow of death, we have no evil to fear because you, our Good Shepherd, are with us. We come to you knowing full well you go before us, and help us to declare with all our heart and being that you have overcome this world and that there is nothing impossible for you. Thank you that you are still sovereign and supreme over all. Teach us to pray ceaselessly only to worship and glorify you. We ask all this in your mighty and powerful name, Amen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds my future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives!
Saly Thomas, Bethany MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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