Living in the Spirit
July 15, 2016

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. –Colossians 1:21-23

Funny how old songs come to mind when I read scripture. The Solid Rock is probably not in most hymn books anymore. We do not like to sing about blood. The word that brought it to mind was “shifting” that is not even in it. In my mind, I sang shifting sand, and the actual words in the song are sinking sand. Similar meaning, I think, it illustrates a life with no solid foundation.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand*.

I would say right now we need to hold on tight to the firm foundation of Jesus Christ as the world about us experiences one tectonic shift after another. In Oklahoma, these are the actual geological shifts of earthquakes, but these serve as an apt metaphor for the social and cultural shifts of today. Some try to avoid these by clinging to the old ways that will never be again. Some use then as excuses to throw caution to the wind and practice the art of anything goes. There is a third option: following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the solid rock.

Prayer:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground**. Amen.

*First verse of The Solid Rock by Edward Mote, see at http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/The_Solid_Rock/

**Chorus to Higher Ground by Johnson Oatman, Jr., see at http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Higher_Ground/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.