Before

"He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God,
the fistborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--
all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:15-16

I feel a sermon coming. Just a little one. Don't worry, though (those of you out there who don't love a good sermon like I do). I'm not going to get on a soapbox. I've abandoned my soapbox and I am down in the dust as a likewise sinner with you. What I say, I do not say with arrogance. Please journey with my words.

When the Bible says, "He is before all things," please note the staggering significance. All things. Jesus is before them all. Smell deep from this trinitarian rose, which refuses to be fully analyzed. It is enough to know that Jesus is fully Other--fully Creator, and one substance with the Father and the Spirit--and fully one of us. Human in every way, but not besmirched by sin.

This mystery man also refuses to be mystified away in a "cloud of unknowing"; He wants to be understood by us, related to us by blood and faith.

Yet, lest we use even the Son of God to prop up a personal "universe" in which I am the center, the sovereign, the architect, the judge and jury, He tells us He is before. He comes first. And He daily desires us to know His glory, His power, His beauty, and delight in it more than all else. We were created not only by Him, but for Him.

How do I do this, when I often take this awesome Deity for granted, like keys in my pocket?

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

He is before; we are after Him, following hard. As we worship Him we shall see how worthy He is of such sacrifice on our part. God is glorious. The gospel is glorious. His love for you is glorious. At the start of each day, before all else, let Christ be before all things in your mind. As that gorgeous song goes,

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.