By Josie Siler
So many things today come in miniature. Candy bars, cakes, artwork, furniture, clothing, books, luggage, horses, dogs, and certainly technology – just to name a few. I’ll admit I’ve never understood the idea of miniature candy bars or cake. I’m a king-sized kind of girl!
Why do we think that things are suddenly better when they’re smaller? Sure it’s great to be able to fit a small cell phone in your pocket, but what happens when it gets so small your fat fingers can’t hit the buttons? We all know that auto-correct is anything but our friend!
Some artists are miniaturizing books and turning them into necklaces. First of all, I kind of want one. I mean, they’re stinkin’ adorable! But you can’t read them. At least my 30-something eyes can’t! Like many miniature things, their purpose is purely decorative.
I hate to admit it, but for a very long time I pictured Jesus in miniature. I grew up believing that when I accepted Jesus into my life He came and lived in my heart. Now don’t get me wrong, this is true, but it isn’t the whole picture.
When I thought about Jesus living in my heart I pictured a miniature Jesus, almost like a little plastic G.I. Joe, camping out in my heart. Of course I knew that’s not who Jesus really was, but that’s often how I pictured Him. I couldn’t quite grasp what it meant to have Jesus living in my heart. I took the statement too literally. Once I began to really grasp what it means to be united with Christ, it changed my life. My world was rocked and there’s no going back!
There are some things that we just can’t fully understand until God reveals them to us. Friends, let me be very clear. Jesus doesn’t come in miniature. He isn’t some plastic action hero we play with. He’s God incarnate, living in us. We get all of Him and He gets all of us.
So many things today come in miniature. Candy bars, cakes, artwork, furniture, clothing, books, luggage, horses, dogs, and certainly technology – just to name a few. I’ll admit I’ve never understood the idea of miniature candy bars or cake. I’m a king-sized kind of girl!
Why do we think that things are suddenly better when they’re smaller? Sure it’s great to be able to fit a small cell phone in your pocket, but what happens when it gets so small your fat fingers can’t hit the buttons? We all know that auto-correct is anything but our friend!
Some artists are miniaturizing books and turning them into necklaces. First of all, I kind of want one. I mean, they’re stinkin’ adorable! But you can’t read them. At least my 30-something eyes can’t! Like many miniature things, their purpose is purely decorative.
I hate to admit it, but for a very long time I pictured Jesus in miniature. I grew up believing that when I accepted Jesus into my life He came and lived in my heart. Now don’t get me wrong, this is true, but it isn’t the whole picture.
When I thought about Jesus living in my heart I pictured a miniature Jesus, almost like a little plastic G.I. Joe, camping out in my heart. Of course I knew that’s not who Jesus really was, but that’s often how I pictured Him. I couldn’t quite grasp what it meant to have Jesus living in my heart. I took the statement too literally. Once I began to really grasp what it means to be united with Christ, it changed my life. My world was rocked and there’s no going back!
There are some things that we just can’t fully understand until God reveals them to us. Friends, let me be very clear. Jesus doesn’t come in miniature. He isn’t some plastic action hero we play with. He’s God incarnate, living in us. We get all of Him and He gets all of us.
That’s what it means to be united with Christ. We can’t tell where Jesus ends and we begin. We’re all His and He’s all ours. He lives His life through us, as us. When I take the time to remember this, I can feel all the pressures of life lifting off my shoulders. I don’t have to worry what other people will think about me because it’s not me who lives, it’s Christ in me. When I allow Him to live through me, I don’t have to worry if I’m going to say or do the right thing or make the right decision. I can walk with Him each day in confident assurance because I know that the things that happen are in His control, and He is good. And that, my friends, is the feeling of freedom.
Ephesians 3:17 (NLT) says, “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” When we trust Christ in us we establish deep roots and grow strong. We aren’t just given a portion of Christ’s love and strength; we have access to all of it because we have access to all of Him. We’re united with Him so the things that He has, we have too.
The Apostle Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes on to write, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (verses 18-19).”
Paul is praying that we will be able to understand the depth and strength of God’s love for us. In fact, the only way we will ever comprehend any truth is if God reveals it to us. No person can make us understand God’s truth no matter how hard they try, but God can reveal it to us. He can help us understand the mystery of His deep love for us, and of Christ in us. He can help us understand that our spirits are literally united with Christ’s Spirit.
Once I understood that this wasn’t just a concept or an idea, but a literal reality, my mind was blown. It’s as if the heavens burst forth and for the first time I realized that I didn’t have to live in defeat because Christ has already overcome everything and His life is my life. He lives in me so I’m an overcomer too.
And you know what? His life is also your life. He lives in you so you’re an overcomer too! It is my prayer that each day God will not only remind us of this truth, but also remind us to walk in this reality. Jesus may be united with little ol’ us, but He will never come in miniature. He’s big and He’s mighty. He’s powerful and He’s perfect – and He’s one with us. Praise His Holy Name!
Ephesians 3:17 (NLT) says, “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” When we trust Christ in us we establish deep roots and grow strong. We aren’t just given a portion of Christ’s love and strength; we have access to all of it because we have access to all of Him. We’re united with Him so the things that He has, we have too.
The Apostle Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes on to write, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (verses 18-19).”
Paul is praying that we will be able to understand the depth and strength of God’s love for us. In fact, the only way we will ever comprehend any truth is if God reveals it to us. No person can make us understand God’s truth no matter how hard they try, but God can reveal it to us. He can help us understand the mystery of His deep love for us, and of Christ in us. He can help us understand that our spirits are literally united with Christ’s Spirit.
Once I understood that this wasn’t just a concept or an idea, but a literal reality, my mind was blown. It’s as if the heavens burst forth and for the first time I realized that I didn’t have to live in defeat because Christ has already overcome everything and His life is my life. He lives in me so I’m an overcomer too.
And you know what? His life is also your life. He lives in you so you’re an overcomer too! It is my prayer that each day God will not only remind us of this truth, but also remind us to walk in this reality. Jesus may be united with little ol’ us, but He will never come in miniature. He’s big and He’s mighty. He’s powerful and He’s perfect – and He’s one with us. Praise His Holy Name!
Dear Lord God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You that He didn’t just die for us, but that He lives for us too – He lives IN us! Wow God, what a concept! Will You reveal to each of us what that really means for our daily lives? Will You help us to understand what it means to be united with Jesus Christ? Will You give us patience when we don’t understand? God, thank You that Your timing is perfect and that You reveal to us things just when we’re ready to hear them – not a second before and not a minute too late. You’re always right on time, Lord! Thank you for Your gifts and for Your deep love for each of us. Help our roots grow deep and strong, Lord. We love You! In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.
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