Series: Jesus Manifesto
Message: Getting Clear About Christ
Preacher: Jenniffer Ogden
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Beyond: J. Murdock
Live Purpose: Lydia Svoboda
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Colossians 1:15-23 in the New Living Translation (NLT). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: When several friends of mine and I started the One project back in 2010, it was the prophetic culmination of our lives that brought us all into the room in Denver, Colorado. We did not gather to start something. We gathered to hear something.
A few days ago, I was sitting with a good friend of mine who connected me with a friend of his, Ford Church. You can Google him or simply click this link for the Cottonwood Institute. Ford specializes in social capital which caused him to create the non-profit Cottonwood Institute with this mission:
Cottonwood Institute is on a mission to connect Colorado Front Range students to the outdoors and empower them to take action to improve their schools, the community, and the environment for future generations.
As we talked that morning, we all shared stories of the power of community in our lives and in the lives of the next generation. Our hope can be raised and imagination stirred when we give space to our youth to connect with each other. I would add that connecting with each other and connecting with God is foundational to any transformation.
When was the last time you disconnected? I have another friend, a graphic designer, who has decided to take a spiritual retreat for three months. She is at a center in Europe and has disconnected from the pressures of life to reset her life in God.
This is the way of the Apostle Paul. You may recall that after the Road to Damascus experience, he took more than three years to remap his life in Jesus. Just as the disciples had spent over three years with Jesus, so Paul wanted to do the same thing.
My friends and I met in Denver, which honestly was our “nature” moment. It was our Cottonwood experience. It was our road to Damascus moment. We did not even know what was going to happen. We were simply fellow pastors and brothers who believed we should gather. In that room. Over those two days. We discovered Jesus. All.
We were not ashamed. We were overwhelmed. We were charged. We wanted to proclaim Jesus. All. Everything is in Jesus.
Recalibrate: What is the story of Jesus for you? What does Jesus mean to you? How do you want to share the name of Jesus?
Respond: Pray for wisdom in Jesus.
Research: What other non-profits do you know or are you part of that help shape humanity? Find one local one and hear their story.
Remember: “Through His power all things were made—things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen” (Colossians 1:16, ICB).
Japhet De Oliveira is administrative director for the Center for Mission and Culture at Adventist Health in Roseville, California.
What can you hear? With your child, listen to the noise going on around you. I can hear the birds waking up as it is early morning. They sound cheerful, ready for a new day. What can you hear? Whatever the noise is around you know that Jesus is speaking. Look for what is good and kind—and listen.
Do you have a toy or something in your home that you can turn on and off or charge up? It may be a toy car or even an iPad. Have you ever been playing with that toy till the batteries ran out? What happened? The toy or tablet cannot do what it was made to do. God made us to be fully charged up on love. When we run out of love we cannot live how God made us to live. That is why Jesus came to show us what love looks and feels like. Take time today to talk with Jesus about your day. He is always listening and you might be surprised by how He talks back.
I remember the first pair of custom shoes I ever bought. A few years ago, I really wanted a pair of running shoes in the perfect color, shape, and size. Thankfully, for the right price, you can make your very own set of one-off sneakers online. I spent hours figuring out which silhouette I wanted, what material to use for the tongue, and which color made the logo look best. After so much work and so much time, I clicked the button to submit my design to the manufacturer and pay the bill. And to my shock and dismay, the price tag was astronomical! I certainly had no intention of paying that much for a pair of shoes that would only wear out after a short while. But then I had to think about all the intention that went into making these shoes. I thought about the outfits I designed them around, and the ways the shoes would help me get into shape, and I thought maybe it might be worth the price after all.
In Colossians 1:16, Paul talks about the idea that all things (repeat: everything. Like, all of the things) have been created by God and for God. Everything in the world that has ever existed is a custom original by God to be used to serve God. That’s wild! Imagine the price tag on everything!
It might have cost a lot (in God’s case, it cost Jesus) but to have something custom fit just for you will always be better than pulling something off the shelf and hoping that it fits or is made in the color you want or fits to your foot exactly. There’s just something different about knowing that an item was tailored with you in mind and not anyone else.
What have you owned that was custom made? Was it worth the extra money? What about your relationship with Jesus? Is it just yours? Or are you using someone else’s idea of faith to provide you with a connection to Jesus?
“All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). Because He is the Creator, He knows His creation. He is able to make known the plans and intentions for His creation. He knows all the details and intricacies of you. We think a very wealthy person isn’t limited by much of the world. Jesus is limited by nothing—He considered His limitless options, and wanted one of you.
Zan Long is GRC director for faith development for ages 0-17. She lives in Sydney, Australia, and serves at her local church in nearby Kellyville.
J. Murdock is associate pastor at Boulder Adventist Church in Boulder, Colorado, where he focuses on youth and young adult ministry.
Lydia Svoboda is a junior theology major at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.