Today’s Bible reading is Jeremiah 42 and Colossians 1.
Stable, steadfast, and not shifting–three characteristics to think about today.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col 1:21-23)
Stable, steadfast, and not shifting–that’s what we’re called to be as disciples of Jesus. But notice the foundation of the blessings. Appreciate the source of the strength. It’s not me; it doesn’t come as a result of me getting my act together. It’s not my circumstances; it doesn’t depend upon everything around me being exactly as I’d like it.
The foundation is “the faith.” The fuel is “the hope of the gospel.” And if I walk in “the faith” and build my life on “the hope of the gospel,” what I begin to experience and enjoy is…
Stability. I am established. Founded. I know who I am because I know whose I am.
Steadfastness. I am settled. At peace. In Christ alone my hope is found; he is my light, my strength, my song.
Not shifting. I am grounded, not tossed to and fro or carried about by the winds around me. The cornerstone of my life is embedded in solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
This is the hope of the gospel which has been proclaimed throughout all creation for 2,000 years. And it begs the question: are you stable today? Steadfast? Not shifting? If not, what’s missing? My guess is, it’s right there in Colossians 1.
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