(July 7, 2020)

“…all things were created through him and for him.”
– Colossians 1:16b

Words have power. It was with a word that God created the heavens and the earth. So we do well to use them intentionally and with care. Especially when it comes to communicating the Truth.
That said, here is the second word I would ban from the church: “Need.” Since when has the Risen Christ needed anything? Reread Colossians 1:15-25. And Revelation. What gives you the sense that God needs anything?
I don’t like to use the word “need” with the word “church” for two reasons:
First, “need” is often used in the sense that the “church needs something” – as if we are some-how outside the church – and let me see if I can help that thing “over there.” We are the church. If there is any need here, it is I desperately need the church. Not the other way around.
The second thought to ponder is this: Need should never drive the mission of the church. We are not about needs. If you begin to look around and need drives you, you will quickly become de-pressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. You will feel like you are always coming up short because you can always find a need. What drives our mission? God’s call. The One who created all things and through whom all things came into being – He will equip us to live out and delight in those good works He has created in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Today, may we delight in that.