Fullness in Christ

Colossians 2 : 6 - 15

.......you have been given fullness in Christ...

I love many of the ways the apostle Paul encourages the early Christian communities....and all those like us down through the centuries. Of course some of his descriptions of the Christian life need much 'unpacking', much thoughtful reflection in order to begin to understand how it can be incarnated in daily life.

Being given 'fullness in Christ' is an amazing thought! Much of the time, we run on a half full (or half empty) spiritual tank and then wonder why the Christian life seems so mundane. Paul's vision is different : in Christ we are 'full'. But are we living in a way that reflects how full we are in Christ? There is always quite a large gap between what we proclaim and how we live.

I try to interest small groups to desire growth or deepening in their discipleship. I do so not by 'nagging' but by sharing the 'more' that I have experienced (and still long for), that is part of being in Christ. But it is a long struggle and it seems that many will not take the 'plunge'. Paddling in the shallow waters seems good enough but to trustingly jump in at the deep end is somewhat too costly. Am I expecting too much? Perhaps many long time Christians are too comfortable to open themselves to a God who reserves the right to intrude into their lives and turn their plans upside down. It is very frightening....unless we know how much we can completely trust this God.

I don't know exactly how one can experience the 'fullness in Christ' that has already been given. But it is always important to return again and again to the places where we encounter our God. That will include times of solitude and withdrawal from the busyness of life. It will also include times of engagement with others in a way that the very presence of the Lord is felt.

It is out of our fullness that we give others a taste of the God who has made us his living 'temple'.