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It seems rather hard to conceive, doesn't it? Christ in you? What does that mean, exactly? I believe the answer to this question lies at the heart of what it means to be a child of God. So often I hear the phrase –"I'm a follower of Christ." It sounds really good, doesn't it? When I hear that phrase I picture in my mind Christ in front of me and I am doing whatever I can to follow Him. Well, the more I focus on this picture the more I realize there are some serious problems with it. First, His back is to me, so I can't really see what He's doing. Secondly, I'm just following Him, trying to mimic His steps. I'm not being changed.

When I read the verse above, Colossians 1:27 something stood out to me… Christ In You! Wow! Read that again. Did you catch it? It's not about following Christ… although on some level I know this sounds good and makes sense. But I honestly believe it is Christ In You and Christ in Me! That sounds much better than following Christ, doesn't it?

On the day I invited Christ into my heart, to be my personal Savior, the Lord of my life… something changed - me. I died. Honestly, I did. It might not look like it. But I did. Christ became my life. He took up residence in me. Now, it's up to me - (that's the part of free will that gets messy – because I have a choice in this matter) - to allow Him to live out my life. The other option is we can continually fight over who is in charge and I will end up frustrated, exhausted and unsatisfied. I guess it's easy to see which choice makes more sense. However, it's the carrying out of this choice that is harder than it looks.

I realize now that most of the time, I think I know what's best for me, but I don't. I say I want to allow Him to live out my life… but I don't always let Him do it. It's no wonder I'm so conflicted all the time. Things are out of whack.

Do you often find yourself in a state of unrest… wonder… worry… concern… fear? Are you always wondering, "What now?" "What's next?" "When's this going to happen?" I ask those questions all the time. I realize in asking those questions over and over I am questioning who is in charge. It shows a lack of trust on my part.

I want all the answers and I want them now, today, right this minute. So much in my life doesn't make sense. So much in this world doesn't make sense either. People are starving in so many other parts of the world. In America we are free to vote, free to speak, free to go to church and we are willing to fight for this freedom for ourselves and for others. But I've traveled around the world and discovered, these luxuries we have, well they are not afforded to everyone. I want to ask God, "Why us?" "Why them?" So many people are sad, lonely and feel abandoned. I want to ask, "Why aren't You helping these people, Lord?"

I don't think I'll ever know the answers to all my questions, but there is someone who does know the answers. In fact, He's the one who created everything in the first place. He does know what's best for me, for you, even when we can't see it, or understand it. He does know why things are the way they are in the world and even though it doesn't make sense to me… it does to Him. He is in complete control of it all. His name is God. And because Christ is in us… you and me, well, we can have direct access to the throne room of God. We can come to Him with all our questions and even if He doesn't answer right away, or in the way we desire, we can trust Him. He knows our hearts. He hears our cries. He loves us unconditionally. Even when I doubt Him, He still loves me, and He still wants to hear my voice ask the questions – regardless of whether or not He answers them.

Instead of thinking of yourself as a follower of Christ, instead consider what it means to have "Christ in You!" He's living on the inside of you. He's guiding and directing your steps. You can trust Him, He's God and you're not!

Think about it!

Amen!

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

God Inhabits The Ordinary