All Things…

Scripture Readings: Genesis 1:1-5; John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:15-19

Day one of a new year, a good day to start at the beginning. Genesis 1 reminds us of the creation, that God spoke into chaos and light emerged which lead to order. In the Gospel of John the reminder shows up again that God was the one who created, and that Jesus was present at the creation. Further that Jesus was now entering creation in a new way, making his dwelling among us. Once again God is bringing light into chaos with the promise of creating order.

We are not letting any major secret loose to say that marriage can get chaotic from time-to-time, especially when children are added to the mix of personalities and schedules. Couple the chaos that can be in a marriage with the chaos and drama which flourishes in our world and there is a recipe for great struggle in a marriage. This is where the words of Colossians are helpful, "Because all these things were created by him, both in the heavens and on the earth. The things that are visible and the things that are invisible, whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him. He existed before all things and all things are held together in him." Colossians 1:16-17. God existed long before our marriage and long before our chaos. God has been bringing order to chaos way before God brings order to our chaos. As we read the passages it is not that God eliminates the chaos, rather that God shines through the chaos to show that there is order in the midst of the chaos.

When marriage is tough, and every marriage has tough times, God does not often simply make it better. What often happens is God reminds us that Jesus is in all things. More than just in all things, that Jesus was part of creating all things and that all things are directed toward Jesus. When we begin to ask the question, "Is our marriage being used for God?" the chaos takes on a different understanding. Better yet we take on a better understanding of the chaos.