“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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." (Colossians 1:15-20, New International Version)

Wherever you are right now, no matter how late you are running or how tired you feel, whether you are on your couch or in your office -- stop. Stop for a moment and breathe. Take those big, deep breaths that make your lungs poke out and your heart rate drop a little. Close your eyes and say this holy name aloud with me: Jesus Christ.

What power and peace there is in this precious name! Jesus Christ.

My sweet sister, will you let me speak to you today? Can I tell you that your God is near, and that He loves you? May I remind you that the blood of Jesus Christ is more powerful than any sin and more beautiful than any blessing? Jesus Christ himself is your blessing: it is through Him we have unending, unconditional, and unprecedented access to our good, good Heavenly Father.

Because of Jesus Christ, an invisible God is no longer impossible to see.

So let’s glance again at the passage above from Colossians, and slow down as we read it this time. There are no words more worthy of our attention than the sacred scriptures. Exhale your worries but for a moment, and draw in deeply the breath of life.

Would you mind if I prayed for us before diving back in to these verses?

Heavenly Father, we need you. The truth of who you are is too wonderful for us to grasp. Will you soften our hearts and stir our affections for you, even now? Give us eyes to see you more clearly! Teach us through your Holy Spirit, and increase our awareness of your nearness. We ask boldly in the name that is above every name – Jesus Christ!

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

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.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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.

What do you see, sister? Oh, how I wish I could sit with you and hear everything the Lord is speaking to you through these words right now!

Here are a few things that stand out to me:

Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God – the Creator of the universe put skin on so that we could see Him and know Him. The Son has always been with the Father, since the beginning.

We were created in Jesus Christ, through Jesus Christ, and for Jesus Christ.

Jesus is before all things.

Everything that exists is being held together by Jesus Christ: the breath in our lungs, the heartbeats in our chests, the neurological regions of our brains being stimulated by reading – ALL is taking place because He holds us together! And not just what is visible, but the feelings, thoughts, and responses we are able to formulate to this passage are only possible because He is holding us together.

Jesus Christ is the reason for, and the ruler of, the worldwide body of believers known as the church.

Jesus Christ is the beginning of life and the firstborn from among the dead – death is no longer final!

So that (I always perk up when there is a “so that” because it means the “why” is coming!) in everything he might have the supremacy. ALL authority belongs to Jesus Christ! He is supreme over things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. There is ultimate power in the name of Jesus!

God delights in dwelling with his Son, and now we are in Christ and Christ is in us – so God delights in dwelling with us! God made peace with us through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross; we have been reconciled to God!

It seems the entire Gospel is somehow woven into these five short sentences, and yet there is still so much of Jesus to be discovered here!

(Side note: How incredible is it that we have been given the gift of access to the Bible, and have been blessed with an education enabling us to read this book? And not only are we able to read, but we are then given eyes to see beyond what is written? The love and kindness of our God is overwhelming!)

Thank you for pressing pause on your day in order to spend some time studying the scriptures with me, sis. Whatever you are facing, I hope you know you are not alone and that there is power in the name of Jesus Christ! The One who defeated death is in your midst, holding all things together. You were created on purpose, for a purpose: you were designed to be at peace with God through Jesus Christ, and to celebrate His goodness forever.

Wherever you are, dear one, your God is near. Do you see him?

Your God is Near