At the core

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14 (NIV)


God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Christ, 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 1:19–20 (NIV)


Both of these passages are beautiful on their own.


Together, they point to the central, transforming power of Jesus.


The everlasting kingdom...the one that will never be destroyed...THAT is what has entered humanity in Jesus Christ.


All of it. All God's fullness dwelled in Christ. There is no aspect of God's character, no hidden, harsh judge kept separate. The Colossians passage makes these bold and insanely beautiful claims:


You want to know what God looks like? Look at Jesus, and his costly, self-sacrificial gift.
You want to know what God loves like? Look at Jesus, and his irritating tendency to be with the least lovable.
You want to know what God lives like? Look at Jesus, and his determination to ignore the religious rules that got in the way of healing, community, and wholeness.


All of that...has been placed INSIDE the imperfect world we walk.
All of that...is bubbling inside of this world, like the lava that bubbles in the core of the earth.
No matter what happens on the surface, there is immense warmth, fire, and power in the kingdom that lives at the center of who we are as a people.


Today will no doubt be an imperfect day, full of things beyond my control... (and yours)
Today, I will no doubt be an imperfect husband, father, and pastor... (what are your "titles"?)
But today, I have the everlasting kingdom in the breath that fills my lungs and the blood that courses through my imperfect veins. (Take a deep breath...feel your heart beat...it is there too...)


As we walk whatever path is ours today, may we recognize that the difficulties of today...the brokenness, failures, challenges, fear...all of that will pass away...but this Kingdom of Love will never pass away.


PRAYER:
Sovereign God, you have shown us your face through the life of your Son. Through his sacrifice, you have reconciled us from sin and back into your favor. Thank you, Gracious Father, for your marvelous plan of hope and salvation. Amen.*


*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts