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Over the past few years, the book of Colossians has become my favorite of Paul’s epistles. Things I needed to hear, be reminded of, or had the opportunity to share with others, have come from that book of the New Testament.
For a semester, I facilitated a study of Colossians with some of the Spanish-language students on Wednesday afternoons in the on-campus Starbucks. The young ladies who participated in the study continued to grow in their abilities to facilitate our discussion and expressed growing joy in the discovery of biblical truths through the letter to the church in Colossae.
A memorable quote that came out of our study was, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” Any time someone said, “Christ,” we would pause until someone responded, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” It means that Christ is our “Everything, in all things, completely.”
By stirring our memory from past studies, the quote summarized the teachings in Colossians, especially its emphasis on the fullness in Christ, who is our “all.” Nothing can exist without Him. And our lives will never be complete apart from Him.
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. (Col. 1:16-17)
While reading through the four short chapters of Colossians, the various phrases of fullness and totality jump out. In addition to these expressions of completeness, I invite you to focus on the phrases that demonstrate our dependence on Christ. Phrases that include, “in Him, through Him, by Him, with Him,” and others help us rediscover all that God makes possible through His Son. He truly is the center of it all.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Col. 2:9-10)
We are filled with His fullness. It is a promise on which we can stand when we are surrounded by the storms of this life…an apt description of the year 2020 for many.
In January, we introduced our theme for the year, “A Part of the Whole.” And as we close out this calendar year filled with many unexpected circumstances, we return to a reminder of true Fullness, the Whole, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” He is over all and in all and through all (Eph. 4:6) and He invites us into His fullness when we keep our eyes and our faith fixed on Him.
May Christ be our Everything, in all things, completely, for all nations. “El Todo, en todo, en todo,” para toda nación.
How can you be an example of making Christ your Everything in all things, completely? How can you encourage an Iron Rose Sister in that same endeavor?
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Written by Tiffany Jacox, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Bellevue, NE
Can you believe we are entering the last month of the year? The year 2020 was one that many people entered into with eyes wide in wonder. Seeing 20/20 is the best you can get, right? This would surely be a year of greatness and clarity! However; this year has seemingly been a year of chaos, pain, turmoil, loss and fear. Everyone was sucker punched and in disbelief in all that this year has brought. It has been a challenge for so many to remain hopeful and stand strong in faith while the difficult times threaten to steal our joy and suck the life out of us while kept in isolation. We have seen an increase in physical illness, mental illness, financial hardship, emotional destruction and spiritual sabotage.
I, like many of you, have been struggling to keep my head above water but thankfully I have held on tight to Jesus, my life raft, my savior. He is what has kept me afloat in times when He was all that propped me up. He has given me the opportunity in times of deep distress to share my faith and share the truth with others around me that didn’t know how to keep their strength. Now, here we are, nine months into this pandemic and this massive change and shift in life as we knew it. What can we glean? What if we just take a moment…be still…look back…
We all well know the saying, “Hindsight is 20/20”. What that means is now that I have experienced this and learned from this I can look back and see what I missed. As we take this time to look back and see what we may have missed or what we can learn; we must first remember, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB 1995). The hate, the pain, the suffering these are all outcomes of the world. But friends we are not of this world! We are called to be different, we are called to be salt and light. We are reminded and gifted joy and life in abundance through Jesus Christ in the midst of all the pain. What if this year is a year of clarity? What if God is using this to bring people to Him? “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB 1995). Many of us have come to realize how little we need in our daily lives and better appreciate what we do have. Some people have been forced to slow down and be home with their families more than they may be used to. Maybe, like me, this has been a time of deep reflection and a time to reconcile yourself with Christ and gain a deeper understanding of The Word. We can better appreciate the sun after the rain and see the joys after the trials. We must give thanks in ALL things (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NASB 1995).
So let’s take a moment to look back and learn from the past year with eyes, hands and hearts wide open and ready to receive what the Lord has to give us. Maintain our 20/20 vision by looking up and “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NASB 1995). In doing so remember to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, NASB 1995). Remember this time on earth is temporary, just a blink of the eye. We will endure suffering in His name and we will go through many hardships and trials, but we will adorn ourselves in the armor of God and we will keep our focus on Jesus and He will be our 2020 vision.