He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
“All earthly gifts are given to it only for Christ’s sake, as this whole world is sustained only for the sake of Jesus Christ, his Word, and his message. He is the true Bread of Life. He is not only the Giver but the Gift itself, for whose sake all earthly gifts exist. Only because the message concerning Jesus Christ must still go forth and find believers, and because our task is not yet perfected, does God in His patience continue to sustain us with His good gifts.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community (New York: Harper One, 1954) 67.
Someone asked me recently if I thought we were nearing the great Day of the Lord, the end of all things, and the beginning of the eternal state.
I replied, saying that I don’t know when all that will happen (as only the Father in heaven does) but with confidence I added that we are closer to that day than ever before.
So, while the world seems to be falling apart, Christ is holding it together and has a task for each of us. What is that task?
Use the earth gifts now from the Giver who is the Gift to make him known while we are able. We must “go forth and find believers.”
This Lent and beyond, use the gifts of God to make known the Giver who is the Gift. Perhaps this Lent increase your giving from your current level and see what happens?