Complete in Christ

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority (Colossians 2:9-10, NLT).

Last week we talked about the desires of our hearts, and that creates the perfect segue into sharing this week about what it means to be complete in Christ. 

As a single woman in my late 30s, I’m often on the receiving end of some pretty harsh questions, and occasional ugly comments, related to why I’m still unmarried and without children. It used to bother me, but as my relationship with Jesus has matured, I’m able to respond kindly and simply move on. 

Why is that? Because the truth is this: I am complete in Christ. The apostle Paul is speaking in Colossians 2:9-10 about this very subject when he says: 

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

Fullness of God. Complete. Lacking nothing. Through my union with Christ. 

I spent a lot of years hearing this Biblical truth read aloud, but when I began to read and study it in a way that allowed the words to travel from my head to my heart, everything changed. Head knowledge became heart knowledge.

My people mean everything to me, so I can assure you, it took a lot of work for me to get to this place of contentment. Though the desires within me haven’t changed, the Lord has grown my heart in such a way that my contentment is no longer bound by my worldly relationship status. 

I am a daughter of the King. I was created on purpose, for a purpose. I have been set apart as holy, to do all the good things that God has prepared in advance for me to do. And I will not allow my relationship status to determine the level of joy in my life. That comes from Christ.

Single with no children. Complete in Christ.

Married with no children. Complete in Christ.

Divorced with no children. Complete in Christ.

Married with children. Complete in Christ.

Divorced with children. Complete in Christ.

When we are complete in Christ, we can enter into relationships with the freedom of knowing we don’t have to expect the other person to be our savior, because we already have one in Jesus. Romans 10:9 reminds us: 

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Marriage is a gift from the Lord. Children are a blessing from above. Our relationships have an ability to bring so many good things to our lives. I believe all those things with my whole heart. But ultimately, when we reach the gates of heaven, the only relationship that will truly matter is the one we hold with Jesus Christ.