– Today’s Community Scripture – 9/30/2025
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end, he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time, you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth. This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery! I’m telling you this because I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.” I’m a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I’m on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 1:15–2:5 (MSG)
– Reflection:
It reminds us that Jesus isn’t just a historical figure; He’s the very image of the invisible God, the one through whom everything was created and continues to hold all things together. He’s the center of everything, from the universe to the church, and even our personal lives. Paul emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brings healing and unity to everything that’s broken, including us. He encourages believers to stay rooted in this truth, not chasing after flashy distractions or so-called secrets. Instead, we’re invited into a deep relationship with Christ, where true wisdom and peace are found. This message is for everyone, regardless of background, and it’s meant to help us grow into maturity, with Christ as our foundation. Paul’s passion, even while suffering, shows how deeply he believes in this truth and how much he wants others to experience it too. For young people especially, this passage is a call to stay focused, stay grounded, and remember that they’re part of something bigger—a divine story of love, purpose, and transformation.
– Where do we go from here?
Now that we’ve seen the depth of who Christ is and what He’s done for us, the question becomes how do we respond? We move forward by staying rooted in Him, not just in belief but in how we live, love, and lead. This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about staying connected. Christ is in us, and that means we carry His purpose, His peace, and His power into every space we enter. Whether you’re a student, a parent, a leader, or just trying to figure out life, this message is for you. Let’s not chase distractions or watered-down versions of truth. Let’s grow in wisdom, walk in love, and build each other up. We’re not alone in this; God’s got us, and we’ve got each other. So let’s keep showing up, keep learning, and keep living out the message with boldness and grace.
– Our Prayer for Today
Jesus, thank You for being the center of everything above us, around us, and within us. You hold all things together, even when life feels scattered and broken. Thank You for loving us enough to die for us, to bring us close to God, and to make us whole. Help us stay grounded in Your truth, not distracted by things that don’t last. Teach us to grow in wisdom, to love like You love, and to live with purpose. Remind us that we’re never alone, and that You’re working in us every day. We trust You, we follow You, and we thank You. Amen.
– Subscribe
Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I’m sharing reflections like this daily, and if you want them sent straight to your inbox, all you have to do is sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.
⁃ Let’s grow together—one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
https://communityfocuseddevelopmentcom.azurewebsites.net/