Keeping God central in all things
We are to make Christ central in every sphere of life, personally, as communities of faith and nationally.
In the life of the people of faith, Christ must be central. He is Lord of all, or not Lord at all.
A curious Bible text goes like this: “Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 4:34, ESV).
His consuming passion was to keep God the Father central in all things and at all times.
In this, Jesus left us an example of keeping God central in our lives.
Indeed, the Bible says “whatever you do, or say do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17, NLT).
The Lord Jesus must be central.
And so your personal worship thoughts and deepest desires must find their locus in your growing a sound and healthy relationship with Christ, primarily through feeding on God’s word and prayer.
The Wisdom book of Ecclesiastes instructs us in its concluding chapter to honour God and keep Him central:
• Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.
• Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop.
• Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
• Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom….
• Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; … (Ecclesiastes 12:2-5a, NLT)
God is interested in every detail and stage of your life. The proper launching pad, basis, source and cause of any person seeking to live a fully functional life is in this truth:
• For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory…. (Romans 11:36, NLT)
• …. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10b, NLT)
You were created by Christ. You were created through Christ.
You were created for the glory of Christ!
No area of life is left out when worshipping, witnessing or working.
This perspective is particularly essential for those who claim to have encountered the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and experienced the new birth that His Holy Spirit brings about in us: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19b and 20, ESV).
In our Church life, the focus must be on Jesus, not the pastor, nor the “money seed sowing” or the wants of members.
In our home life and marriage, the focus must be to bring glory to Jesus through our excellence of work and integrity of service.
Are you pleasing Jesus in your work, politics or public service?
In our temporal and ultimate vision, ambition and mission, the focus must be Jesus.
The Bible gives clear guidelines on this matter, including the following Bible texts: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23 & 24, NLT). “Christ’s love controls us….
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians 5:14&15, NLT).
The Apostle Paul sums it up when he says “wherever we are and whatever we do, “… our goal is to please Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Making Christ central is best reflected in the way we pray and live out the prayer the Lord Jesus taught us: In the Lord’s Prayer which is in two parts:
• We bring all of God to our life;
• Our father in Heaven
• May Your name be kept, Holy
• May Your Kingdom Come
• May Your Will be done on Earth; as it is in Heaven.
(In this first part we are seeking first, “the kingdom of God and His righteousness)
• Secondly, we bring all of our life to God;
• Give us today the food we need (or our provision)
• Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us (our pardon)
• Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one ( our perseverance and protection).
We must first seek the kingdom of God and His Righteousness; and eager to do God’s before we turn to ask for our provision, pardon, and protection.
Our mindset in both parts of the Lord’s Prayer is to do His will and bring glory to His name in our day-to-day living.
In fact, effective praying that attracts Heaven’s attention and brings transformation in individuals and the history of nations must have Christ as central.
For our life purpose, our goals and prayers to be in harmony with God’s will, and be answered by God, its end must be the glory of Christ.
The hymn writer sums it up well;
Captain of Israel host and guide
Our strength thy grace
Our rule (instruction) thy Word
Our end … the glory of the Lord!
(The writer is a Consultant in Spirituality and Authentic Discipleship, an International Conference Speaker and former CEO of Scripture Union, (sughanaho@gmail.com).