Firstborn

Well, this story has nothing to do with my title, but I thought, overnight, that I was dreaming about cats in my bed. I, in fact, was not. The picture I included a few days ago of a Milo (on social media) wedged in the window sill…he attempted many times overnight. I know this because I have cat scratches on my wall, attesting to each attempt.

I’m continuing in my study of Paul’s statement on the centrality of Christ found in Colossians 1:15-20. Next statement: firstborn of all creation.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together.”
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Colossians 1:15-17 NASB1995

Firstborn: Col 1:15, where His eternal relationship with the Father is in view, and the clause means both that He was the “Firstborn” before all creation and that He Himself produced creation (the genitive case being objective, as ver. 16 makes clear)

Vine’s dictionary

We all know what firstborn means. I know. However, understanding that is before all creation and that He created it all is critical to understanding His centrality. He was first.

“He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ I also shall make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.”

Psalms 89:26-27 NASB1995

Today, this shapes my thinking because I have many tasks to complete where I don’t have clear cut answers. I go into some conversations not sure of the outcome. Yet, I lay my requests before the One who created a platypus. What in the world. Or a flamingo. Or a whale. Or a jellyfish. Or a lion. Who shaped an orchid. Who painted the sunset. I could just go on.

I woke up this morning wondering, am I all alone? What? That was my first thought. That was not from Jesus. It was a lie that nags at me. You see here’s where that lie falls apart, Jesus. That whisper, that lie, has no foundation in the rock of Christ. I reread these verses I shared with you. The word everything doesn’t leave much out. Everything was created by Jesus.

• Heaven
• Earth
• Visible
• Invisible
• Thrones
• Dominions
• Rulers
• Authorities
• ALL things

All things have been created through him and for him. So, when I wake in the night or evening in the morning, and the first thought of the day is a whisper of lies, here’s what I remember. Wherever I look Jesus is here.

Circumstances feel out of control personally, locally, globally, yet I gaze back to this list and I hold tight to this truth today. he is over it ALL. I struggle with this too. Right? Here’s what I am learning about this. Me personally. Not locally or globally. i can’t speak for anyone else here.

First, I don’t think I was made to consume so much data. So much news. Facebook scrolls of people with whom I no longer communicate painting a picture of their life for me. TikTok/Insta celebrities on Instagram videos making me laugh, cry, etc filling my mind, and if I’m being honest, wasting my most precious commodity, time.

Second, it is SO easy to stop praying, or pray quickly. Or think I’m praying and switch gears to my shopping list or whatever. I don’t know how you need to keep track of your prayers, but I’m back on my post-it notes and dates of actual prayers and their dates of answer.

Third, go easy on myself. Yesterday was a BATTLE to take it easy. And take a nap. Seriously. I fought with myself that there must be something more important. And there just wasn’t.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, yes, I am a firstborn. I haven’t done anything like Jesus, but I am sure glad to follow in his steps. These three things, I am hoping, will help me to remember who holds it all together, and it ain’t me.