Conduit or Main Source?

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed , and overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6,7

Does this passage describe the average Christian you see? Is it a portrayal of you? I read words like “rooted, built up, and established” and my mind begins to get certain pictures. I see huge oak trees, massive structures, and solid foundations. They denote steadfastness, durability, stability, permanence, immovability, and strength. They endure storms, withstand winds, and carry on amidst adversity.

Have you ever met a person who seemed to have a firm handle on the Christian life? They knew who they were in Christ, lived with an energy of deep faith, were secure in God’s love for them, and had the ability to stay firm in their walk come what may! For many years, they were the kind of people from whom I sought shelter. I wanted to be connected to them because of their connection with God. At any given moment, their wisdom was what I sought, their advice was what I asked for, their guidance is what I needed. Under their care I felt nurtured, safe, and loved. They were the conduit of all God wanted to give me directly but I failed to see how I was making them my main source.

The result? I lived under other people’s faith. I lacked having my own vibrant, daily relationship with God. I lived ‘satisfied’ to feed off their plates instead of learning to banquet at His table. My faith was weak, my prayer life was almost non-existent, my time in the Word was inconsistent, my ability to hear God’s voice was rare, my security was shaky. I was miserable!

Praise God those phrases are all spoken in the past tense! The day finally came when I accepted Jesus’ invitation to “Come unto Me”! God’s heart cry is that each one of us would have a vibrant, personal, unique relationship with Him. That can only be possible as we spend time in His Word, in prayer, and in His presence. Learning to see God as our main source takes time. And it requires that we learn to let go of the hands we have clung to so that we can finally grasp His hand!

Father, I am still in the process of finding You to be my all in all! It is difficult at times but You are being gracious with me as I learn. Amen.