The Richland Church of Christ

Presiding

Posted on Feb 17, 2025 in Blog, Tom |

The third Monday of February in the United States is a significant day, designated as President’s Day. This holiday, established by Congress in 1968 with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, was created to provide more three-day weekends and to consolidate several floating holidays onto Mondays. In 1971, the celebration of George Washington’s birthday (February 22) was chosen as the standardized date for all presidents, and the holiday was renamed President’s Day.

 

The term ‘president’ itself, derived from Latin, literally means ‘to sit before.’ It also gives us the word ‘to preside,’ which means to be in charge of a place or situation. In a nation like ours, which values independence, it’s crucial that we don’t have a dictator or monarch but rather a leader who presides over the country’s affairs, aiming to maintain a balance between many voices and centralized government regulation.

 

We know that animals born with two heads have low biological survival rates. Trying to move in two directions or entertaining two thoughts is detrimental to success. Having one focal point and decision maker provides clarity and purpose. When Paul writes to the church in Colossae, he lists Jesus’ unique qualifications as our leader, inspiring us to follow him with unwavering faith.

 

Colossians 1:15-20 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

 

We follow Jesus because who else can we follow? He is before us, holds us together, redeems us through his sacrifice, and is supreme in every quality. He is our God. There is no category in which he does not surpass our qualifications or needs. God’s word informs us that Jesus is sitting on his throne at the Father’s right hand, presiding over our lives.

The question remains: will you allow Jesus to rule your life? There is no one else you could serve who has better qualifications or characteristics. He is the First and Last. He presides over all creation; will you humble yourself enough to let him sit on the throne of your life, presiding over your affairs?