This week in Colossians 1-15-23 we are reminded of something the world has largely forgotten - that Jesus Christ is the supreme Lord of all. We are not the centre of the universe, he is- Everything was made through him and for him. This flies in the face of so much of what the world teaches us today. But what relief and joy it is to know that in Christ, and under his lordship, can we know what it is to be fully human and be at peace with God.

Everyone wants to be right, but it's a hard and vicious battle we make for ourselves. It's more important to know that God is right. This is what he reveals when his Son dies. If we believe what God does for us there, we are called righteous and can live in God getting things right.

This week we commence a series through Paul's letter to the Colossians. I encourage you to take the time to read through the letter in preparation, and each week throughout the series. -The letter begins with an insight into what Paul prays for the Colossian believers - what he gives thanks to God for, and what he asks God for on their behalf. These are no small matters Paul raises here. That is because we have no small God. These are kingdom prayers- regarding eternal matters- which are worked out in the most practical ways as we walk in faith, hope and love. -May our own prayers and daily walk be filled with the knowledge of God's will, be worthy of the Lord and fully pleasing to him.

The crucifixion of Jesus is something that happens to him. But he insists it is the judgement of this world. We are all being summoned to meet our Maker. The awful truth about our situation is that we kill God's Son. But here is where we come to understand our true situation in God's world, and where we find our healing.

Weariness- is not a new concept to any of us. Yes, we get tired from the day-to-day tasks, like home maintenance, work, and other people. But we are also familiar with a weariness that permeates the soul. The weariness comes from burdening concerns that plague our minds. Concerns of personal value, success, acceptance, approval. The invitation of Jesus is clear -Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.- The rest Jesus offers is found in his relationship with the Father, his sonship. What is there to grow weary over when you are a dependent child of the -Lord of heaven and earth-, who is also -Gentle and lowly of heart-.

Habakkuk admits he feels wobbly at the terrible events that are coming. That kind of 'reality denying kind of faith' that smiles at the storm on the outside but is terrified on the inside helps no one. --Neither does the prophet give way to panic. He remembers how God has worked in the past. His prayer is 'Do it again Lord. In your holy judgments show your great mercy and love-'--So even when everything falls and fails around us, we can rejoice in the Lord, the God of our salvation. We may feel weak but God is our strength. We may feel a little wobbly at the knees but we should not lose balance for God makes our feet like the deer's-

'O Lord, how long-' There are times when we wonder why God is not acting in the time and way that we think He should act. Habakkuk was a prophet who was befuddled with God's apparent inaction in the face of needless injustice and suffering.-He was not a critical complainer from the side-line but a baffled believer who longed that God might answer his prayer. However, when God does reveal that He indeed is about something the prophet is thrown into even more turmoil. When the life of faith seems to 'throw us a curve ball' leaving us confused and despairing, the story of Habakkuk offers some strong and helpful medicine.

It's good to know there is more to our life than what we can see. Paul says we Christians live in 'the heavenlies'. In other words, we're not limited to 'the earthies'. The real world that God opens up to us has Jesus in total control. Satan still messes with this space-like he did in Eden, but it's where we receive Christ's blessings and where we can let these blessings flow out into the places God gives us to live.

We conclude our 'Light Overcoming Darkness' series this week by considering what it is for us to -walk in the light.- The Apostle John tells us this 'walk' has to do with truth, fellowship and forgiveness. We must heed the warnings that hatred and lies are indicators of darkness, not light. But we must also delight in the promise that 'if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' To walk in the light, is to walk by faith in the one who has overcome the darkness - not only the darkness of the world, but the sin and darkness of our own hearts. This is the truth which opens us the full fellowship we can enjoy with God, the 'Father of lights' and with one another. Let us walk then, as children of light.

When the story of Christ's birth is absorbed into a diverse cultural celebration of an otherwise secular society then the grand purpose of His birth is buried under a pile of coloured lights, tinsel and giant inflatable animals.-A sentimental view of Christmas may give momentary relief from the darkness of this present world but it cannot bring us to that revelation of what God has accomplished in Christ to shatter our darkness and liberate us into His marvellous light.