Jesus is first in everything. We read that in today’s passage along with a list of the attributes that make Jesus supreme. That’s a great word, “supreme.” It conjures up all sorts of images for us in our society from a pizza loaded with toppings to a singer from a popular girl group “back in the day.” For our purposes, let’s take Google’s definition, “superior to all others.” That’s who Jesus is.
Are you content being in second place? There is so much focus on being the “best” or #1, especially for sports teams. As you may already know, I’m a huge Green Bay Packers fan. You’ll almost always see someone in the crowd with a big foam finger signifying the coveted “#1”. We’re driven, maybe even pushed, into striving for the top position of whatever group or association we’re part of. Why is that? Don’t we know who is truly supreme?
Continue reading “Colossians 1:15-23 – Being Second”
Take a step back in time and think about how your parents disciplined you while growing up. Maybe you were the perfect child and never riled anger or correction from your parents. I was not, and I spent many nights “grounded.” Perhaps you have been a parent yourself and had the distinct pleasure of correcting your own children, “for their own good.”
So many times we go through the motions of life. There are so many things we do on autopilot, like brushing our teeth or combing our hair. Sometimes things like this are done without giving much thought to them. You don’t even necessarily put them on your To-Do List because you just know to do them.
God has chosen you and set you apart to do mighty things. You may not feel all that special, and you might wonder what you could ever do to make a difference. I know, because I’ve questioned, too. I have never felt worthy to be used by God. However, when he does use me, there is no better feeling of accomplishment. My life matters. My purpose was for moments like those. Then I ask, how can I make more of them happen? When will God use me again?
Many New Testament books are written by the apostle Paul. There was another influential apostle spreading the Gospel at the same time, one who had walked alongside Jesus during his ministry. Peter was a friend to Jesus with first-hand experience of the person Jesus. His writings help us have a better understanding of our faith. 
