Jesus Is the Center

The United States is three years away from celebrating its semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) as a nation. I was 12 years old when the US commemorated its bicentennial. I remember a few things about that year.

The first thing I remember is that I went to a parade hoping to shake Colonel Harland Sanders’s hand, but he got sick and could not walk in the parade. I was disappointed.

The second thing I remember is learning I lived in the exact middle of the US population. The center was five miles from Mascoutah, Illinois. As many people lived north of me as lived south. As many people lived east of me as west. So, while I was not the center of the universe, I did take some pleasure knowing I was in the center of the US population.

As committed Christ followers, Jesus is to be the center of our lives. Everything is to revolve around Jesus. Our focus is to be on Him.

I see less and less evidence we really believe Jesus is the center of it all and more that intentionally or unintentionally communicates we are the center of it all. We are a nation divided. We are a Christian community fractured and fragmented with people vilifying and assigning motives to one another on a regular basis.

If Jesus were the center of it all, what would that look like? We would realize our only hope is Christ. Because of that hope, we would live out the principles found in Romans 12:9–16 (NIV):

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

Read those verses again. This time insert “I must” or “my” before each statement. “My love must be sincere. I must hate what is evil; I must cling to what is good.” Now that you have read the passage again, reflect on what changes you should make for Jesus to be the center of your life.

Our only hope is in Christ.

Father,

We proclaim Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. May our lives match our words. We set aside our will and surrender all to You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.