Pointing My Life in the Right Direction

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20

While in treatment for my drug addiction, I came to realize that my first impulse, in most situations, is wrong. It seemed uncanny. How is it that my first inclination is almost always inappropriate? I came to realize that my first impulse is usually wrong, because my appetite and my nature are terribly flawed. When I take a moment to stop and think, I can usually come up with the right answer, but still, I have a choice to make. Am I going to follow my way? Or am I going to do what I know to be good, right, and true? I have the choice, and the results will be predictable.

In today’s passage, Paul laid out Christ’s credentials, explaining why we must follow him above all. In it, he said that Jesus created us. Everything that exists does so because of him. He is above all, and it is because of his sacrificial death that we’re reconciled to God. Our only proper response to these truths is to point our lives at him every day. We must accept the truth and then, we must live accordingly.

From experience, I know that following my way does not lead to the life I want. When I wake up and think – What does Scott want today? – I don’t make healthy, constructive choices because my first impulse is almost always wrong. When, however, I stop, think, and point my life at Christ, I make healthy choices. This isn’t easy and this isn’t automatic. I’ve often thought that just because I became a Christian once upon a time, that my appetite should be magically changed so that I simply want all things good, right, and true.

As long as we live in these flawed bodies though, we will, by nature, desire to follow ourselves. Daily then, if we want to experience life, joy, and peace, we need to recognize that Christ is above all. Then, we must do whatever it takes to abandon our way and point our lives at him.