And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

For those of us growing up with a picture of Jesus the shepherd holding a little lamb, it is challenging to view him as cosmic as the scriptures present him. It is vital that we recognize him as the Son of God who became man and dwelt among us, but he was before that. His majesty is portrayed in everything that exists. He was and is eternal and transcendent. Everything was created for him -- to glorify him -- to display him. Everything is moving toward a time when every eye shall see that everything is summed up in him. He is the purpose of creation. He is the agent of creation. He is the sustainer of creation. He is the redeemer of creation. All the thoughts of the Godhead are made manifest in him.

Sadly, most of us are blind to his glory. We can only see a world where mankind is the center. We worry that mankind is destroying creation without any thought to who finally makes final decisions about his realm. People spend tons of wasted time and energy worrying about the conspiracies that are under the control of evil, thinking that evil will decide what happens to God's creation. They should check with the one whose word holds it together.

Holding it all together

It is true that creation works better when mankind cooperates with his design. When we try to alter the way he instructs in managing it, things go awry. But, we should make no mistake that he will bring things to pass in the right time to fulfill his purpose for all of creation. That means that our first priority is to know and love him. Nothing is more serious or more urgent. When we know the one who created it all and who now holds it together, we have great hope. Without that, we are at the mercy of blind men and evil forces.

Look to him!