Bouncy, Bouncy Tigger

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. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:15-23 ESV). The T-shirt made me laugh out loud. It portrayed Tigger, bouncing gleefully on his springy tail and declaring, "It's about me!" A cartoon character that makes such a self-serving statement is humorous. But Tigger gives us a startling insight into human nature that isn't so funny. We all tend to think of ourselves first. While it's wise to take care of ourselves, we can turn that common-sense idea into our reason for existing. Some view nearly everything with a selfish question: "What's the payoff for me?" That's just a different way of saying, "It's about me." But that attitude fights against the very nature of Christ. The apostle Paul understood that it's really about Him! In our text this morning he makes it very clear that Jesus is to be preeminent in all things. Those of us who trust Christ are free! But it doesn't make us free to serve ourselves. Rather, Christ's death frees us to serve Him. Before Jesus was crucified, He took Peter, James, and John up to the Mount of Transfiguration with Him. There, Moses and Elijah appeared to them. Peter wanted to pay homage to all three. But a voice from heaven directed sole attention to Christ. "This is My Son, whom I love . . . Listen to Him!" It's not about me. It's about Jesus! What are those things in your life that come between you and the selfless love God asks us to give Him? One by one list them. Then, each in turn, give them over to Him. He will take them from you and give you freedom like you’ve never known before. Often, the very things you thought you couldn’t live without are the things that He gives back as blessings and privileges. Freedom comes from surrender! Quit bouncing around like Tigger and let Him give you real joy and life.