“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

My first “real” job was with a very large laboratory. As a young engineer, I often felt that I didn’t belong there. Everyone around me was more established and intellectually out of my league. But there was one senior engineer who took a liking to me and my work. Except he wasn’t just a senior engineer, but one of the most respected scientists within the facility. Needless to say, the fact that this person took special interest in me elevated my standing and career within the organization. But one thing I never lost track off, was that my success wasn’t achieved by my actions alone. It was because this person bulldozed every obstacle that got in my way and provided all the opportunities to succeed. Sure, I still had to perform and do the work, but I was doing work that should never have been given to me at my level. So everything I accomplished was because my boss put me in the right place to be able to do so.

Everyone knew that talking to me was like talking to my boss, because he sent me with his full consent. My failures reflected back on him, just as much as my successes. He invested in me, allowed me the freedom to do work I didn’t rate or deserve, and I did everything in my power to ensure he was made successful in return. I think this is actually quite similar to what Paul has said in today’s verse. Christ died for us and gave us everything. We didn’t deserve this from God, but He chose to do so and has invested completely into us. So we now reflect Christ in us, and our actions are tied back to Him. In return we live Christ honoring lives that aim to elevate Him, from within us.