Realizations in Jesus, through Colossians.

All throughout Colossians I've found myself stumbling upon pieces of truth that I know to be true, but that I haven't necessarily believed to be true.

Wait a second.  How is this possible?

It's like my entire life I've read these incredible things about the character of Jesus and I've just taken them for granted.  I've taken Him for granted.  I've read it, checked it to be true, and kept going.  It feels as if I've never let Christ fully blow my mind, and all of a sudden there is this extreme explosion that goes all the way from my toenails to the very top of my 4'11".

And all of a sudden, all of these lists that I've been after and these desires that I have are finding their way home.

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now HE has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and FREE from accusation" Colossians 1:21-22.

I've been chasing my tail for years.  I've been trying to straighten my dress out, fix my hair; doing everything in my power to be presentable to be in God's presence. And my attempts just seemed to dishevel me even more. As if I could impress God.

And all of this time, He's been looking in the mirror looking at me with eyes that have been saying, "my child, I've already made you presentable.  I've clothed you in the best, I've made you spotless, I've created you radiantly."

Because no matter how simple it is to understand that Jesus has done it all, I've always found a way to sneak in a special clause that says that I can do something, too.  But I am not my own savior. Because I'm working to do something that's already been done.

I have already been reconciled.

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know that mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Colossians 2:1-3

My objective is not to do anything, but to find Christ.  To hide myself in Him.  To grow in Christlikeness.  The hiding in Him, produces acts of love and service. Fervor, hope, mercy, grace.  All aspects of Christ to hide myself in, not as a secret to keep to myself, but to reflect as He did.

What a relief.
What a glorious reality.
What a blessed eternity.