Giving Jesus the Driver's Seat

Who is really in charge of your day? We often try to juggle everything ourselves, only calling on God when things fall apart. But Colossians 1:18 invites us to a much more peaceful way of living by putting Jesus where He belongs: at the very center of everything we do.

In Colossians 1:18, the Apostle Paul writes, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.." This verse uses the Greek word kephalḗ, which literally means "head." In the same way your physical head gives signals to your body so you can move, breathe, and think, Jesus is the source of our spiritual life. He isn't just a figurehead or a distant founder; He is the living leader who provides direction and strength to His people.

The ultimate goal is that Christ would have the prōteúō, which means to hold the very first place in rank and influence. Because He is the "firstborn from the dead," He has already defeated the greatest enemy we will ever face. As 1 Corinthians 15:20 reminds us, His resurrection is the guarantee of our own. If Jesus has authority over the grave, we can certainly trust Him to lead us through our meetings, our parenting, and our quietest moments of worry.

Application

Identify one area of your life today where you have been trying to be the boss—perhaps a stressful project or a difficult conversation. Consciously hand the "preeminence" to Jesus by saying a quick prayer, asking Him to take the lead in that specific situation before you move forward.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, be the Head of my life today. I give You first place in my thoughts, my work, and my heart. Amen.