WEDNESDAYS WEEKLY WORD...the linking piece to the puzzle

A NEW DAY HAS BEGUN. So wipe those sleepy eyes, get on your feet, and embrace it. Embrace the change that this day brings. Yes, today is the day that we have a new political leader, a new President.

CHANGE. That is what we have all heard for the past several months, as the Presidential Campaign was hot and heavy before us. Candidates that both promised change but offered different approaches to make the change happen. Such powerful promises were offered in such a time of disharmony in our world.

All around us, we see evidence of a world that is in disharmony....

~ Environmentally… just look at the ozone problems.
~ Nations at war…including the Middle East, North and South Korea, Ireland, Liberia, India and Pakistan. The list changes from time to time but it never goes away!
~ Culturally…Racial division, gender differences, political differences.

With so much disharmony all around us -

• IS THERE ANY KIND OF HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE?
• CAN THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BRING HARMONY BACK INTO OUR LIVES?

The solution to disharmony would be one simple word…

R E C O N C I L A T I O N

In the book of Colossians, Paul gives us something positive to look forward to:

COLOSSIANS 1:20 “and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Did you notice in this passage that it does not say all PEOPLE, but it says EVERYTHING! God is a God of reconciliation who desires the world that He created in perfection to return to harmony.

If God is a God of reconciliation, then His people should also have hearts of reconciling. Not only does God want us to reconcile with each other, but He wants us to reconcile people to Him.

HOW CAN WE DO THAT?

So many people are trying to figure out how we all fit together, and even those who have come to the conclusion that we can never fit together are compelled to see the “big” picture; they want to attempt to solve the puzzle.

Scientists have tried to solve the puzzle with their “theories”.

Hindu’s have tried to solve the puzzle with their faith of “unity”.

I love to work big puzzles. To be reconciled to me is like working a puzzle. Each of us is made differently, there are no two persons alike, but like a puzzle, we are all connected to one another. There is one linking piece that will complete our puzzle of life. It is not scientific theories. It is not cult-like faiths. The linking piece to our puzzle of life is Jesus Christ. He is the one who brings it all together.

COLOSSIANS 1:17 “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

As the nucleus is to the atom, Christ is to all of creation. Without the hub of a wheel, the wheel would collapse. Without its nucleus, the electrons of an atom would fly off in all directions. Without Christ, the universe would be full of fury and signifying nothing. Christ is the one Who keeps the universe moving in the direction that God purposed it to.

Jesus Christ is the missing piece of the puzzle. Several years ago, a controversial incident involving violence by police against a black man was all over the news. The victim, Rodney King made this famous quote:

“Why can’t we all just get along?”

The answer to that million-dollar question is “SIN”. While God intended harmony and unity, sin has thrown everything into disarray.

1. People do not get along with God.
2. People do not get along with each other.

Only Christ, the One who perfectly reflects God Himself, can bring us back together. That is our hope. That is a promise that can be kept by the Ultimate leader of our World.

WHOM DO YOU NEED TO RECONCILE WITH TODAY?

God?
Family members?
Co-worker?
Friend?

In last week’s YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question, “Whom do you feel most alienated with right now?” The top 3 answers are:

25% of those voting, said they are alienated with their parents.
16% of the readers voting said they are alienated with their children.

16% voted and said it was a sibling they were alienated with.

This weeks poll tells me that alienation is strong within our families. Our families need to be reconciled. Our City needs to be reconciled. Our Country needs to be reconciled. The first step of reconciliation is forgiveness. Go ahead, make the first step and put your pieces back together.

I have been studying the book of Colossians. This week's devotion reflects some of my thoughts on what Paul has taught me. I encourage you to study the book of Colossians with me, and together we will strive for harmony to be restored in our world.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL: There is a new poll to vote in. "What real life mystery can you solve?" - Please take time to vote because your opinion really does matter! Find the poll on the side bar of this blog....