Take Away Everything…What’s Left?

We plan and plan and plan. We attempt to bring the best that we can to whatever event or party we throw. We’ll get anxious is something doesn’t go right, if something doesn’t go according to plan. What do we do? I have tried to figure out how to make things happen in the midst of situations not working out. I have often wondered “what now?” or even “what’s left that I can add to make this successful?”

I have even tried to plan for the future and things fall away or I have to change my plans with a quick decision. I often wonder if I made the right decision or not. I will even go through a period of doubt when it comes to planning events at the church. Am I doing enough to attract all different people? Do we have enough offered? Is there enough to hold their attention and satisfy their physical hunger? It is difficult to do everything to please everyone.

A couple years ago, we were planning a revival service for the community. In the planning process I began to wonder “what if we didn’t have all the games, the light, the stage, the food, etc.?” Then, in a time of personal prayer before I would leave to go to the planning meeting, something dawned on me. What would be left if everything was taken away? What would be left?

Take away the food. Take away the games. Take away the stage, the lights, the sound system. What would be left?

I began to think about this more and more and then I felt drawn to Colossians 1 where these words are written:

Colossians 1:15-20 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the one who is first over all creation, Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. He existed before all things, and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the one who is firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy the first place in everything. Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him, and he reconciled all things to himself through him—whether things on earth or in the heavens. He brought peace through the blood of his cross.

So, if all of the frills and entertainment were gone, what would be left? Jesus would be there! He is the basis for us doing what we do. He is the focal point for all of our tasks, projects, life goals, relationship goals. If all of our comforts and entertainment were taken away, Christ would be there. So a question I have to answer (and I believe we all should look at how we answer) is “if it is only Jesus, is this enough?” That’s a convicting question. If Jesus is enough, then everything else will be used for His glory and bringing people to faith in Him. If the “stuff” and planning is required to make Jesus more attractive and entertaining to others, we may be putting more faith in our abilities.

Trusting in Christ is difficult at times because we want to know everything we should do and how we should do it. But, Christ doesn’t work that way. His call is to simply follow Him. If we stay connected to Him, everything else seems to fall into place. We will not always have people understand why we are doing what we’re doing. But Jesus is enough. He has been enough from the beginning and holds everything together.

#ToTheGloryOfChrist