In by Catherine Hutton
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
The word is IN. And this is because so often we feel out. Out of sorts, out of the loop, out of touch, out of place… maybe even out of sight, but out of something, out of some place that we feel we should be in.
There are all sorts of aspirational groupings that are exclusive… the in crowd, the in-fluencers with their products, lifestyles and in-sta feeds that beckon you in- if you have the taste, budget or time to hop on over to their world. So much more likely is that we exist on the margins, skirting the grey area of almost, as we paddle our bare feet in the lukewarm waters of the low tide shallows. I’m talking about the bitter waters around North Yorkshire Coast, UK, not the balmy Med or even the heated bliss of the Gulf Coast.
True satisfaction
This past year, I’ve learnt the tough way that the place of my true satisfaction is in Christ. My denomination is abandoning its orthodox roots, I’ve left a place of security in ministry where I was known, loved and had position to move to a place where I am still largely unknown after a year and I don’t have the position I held previously. It feels a bit out there, and I am on the outside.
Unless I count myself in. In Christ. ‘In’ is my identity and my location. It is where I am fearfully and wonderfully made —a new creation person living in Christ, for the purposes of God. This is where I’m known and why I am… Here, I am safe, purposeful and bonded with family together IN Jesus who is our head, our salvation and our location. In Jesus, I am in all the way, in over my head, in so thoroughly I can’t touch the floor and I am safe here. Finally, I am in, and you know what? There’s room for everyone in here!
About the author
Catherine Hutton is a Jesus Follower, wife to Gavin and mum to Joel and Aidan. Ordained in the Methodist Church in Great Britain; currently leading Epsom and Cheam Methodist Churches. Catherine writes discipleship style Bible Studies for the local church, and loves to preach, evangelise and innovate for local mission. She can be found exploring tea shops, walking the chihuahua and finding bargains in the charity shops, when not reading.
Visit Catherine’s website…
Check out some other Word on Wednesdays…
Wonderful reminder of what really matters.
The past 16 months have been so challenging and we need to reorientate ourselves. You really help with this, Catherine.
What an encouraging perspective and excellent reminder of what really matters. In thoughts of being “out,” my mind included out of energy, out if time, out of patience, out of wisdom, but you have reminded me that in Christ I am always in everything I need. Thank you for the lovely words.