Colossians 1:15-20 | He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. -Colossians 1:17
There’s a scientific principle that on their own, things tend to become increasingly disordered.
But scientists today are describing another mysterious principle known as “synchronization”—ways in which our universe seems drawn inexplicably toward order. Hearts beat regularly; fireflies flash in synch; and pendulum clocks placed near each other will spontaneously synchronize, for reasons researchers are only beginning to understand.
Reflecting on the ways in which forms of order and harmony emerge in all spheres of a world that often seems otherwise chaotic reminded me of the mysterious truth that—despite its brokenness and corruption—creation is still united by its source in Christ.
Paul explains, “Through him God created everything . . . . He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:16–17).
And though our world is often blind to God and His goodness (John 1:11), it remains true that Jesus is also the way in which God has chosen to bring healing and harmony into a disordered and chaotic world: “through him God reconciled everything to himself” (Colossians 1:20).
Every day, Christ brings light, life, and harmony into our confusion, brokenness, and chaos. And one day all will be united in worship of Him, “in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” every voice celebrating “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11).
Monica La Rose
How has God allowed for both freedom and harmony in the world? How have you experienced those things from Him?
Creator God, thank You for Your amazing creation.