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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:16-20)

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Science tells us that on a subatomic level, the world shouldn’t hold together. Positively charged protons in an atom’s nucleus should repel each other with such force that everything should fly apart. Gravity, the great anchor of the universe, does not keep atoms stable. And yet—everything remains intact. Scientists still can’t fully explain why. Some have even referred to it as an “invisible glue.”

Scripture tells us that glue has a name: Jesus.

He holds all things together—from the particles we can’t see to the people in His Church. Just as the brain directs and sustains the physical body, Christ—our Head—sustains and directs His body, the Church. Without Him, we fall apart. Without Him, we don’t function. On our own, we naturally repel—like the protons in an atom, like sinners pulled by pride and self.

But in Christ, we are held.

He brings order where there should be chaos. Unity where there should be division. Stability where everything should fall apart. And He does this not only in creation, but in us—personally and collectively.

So if you feel like things are unraveling, return to the One who holds all things together. Including you!