Christ Centeredness

Whatever is at the centre of your life will be the source of your security, guidance, wisdom and power.

~ Steven Covey

Every one of us has a ‘centre’ that holds our lives. It’s the lens through which we see things and make decisions, the focal point through which our lives are built.

Steve Covey, in his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, mentioned the different lenses through which we view life centimetre our lives. He said some centre their lives around their spouse, family, money, work, possession, pleasure, family, enemy, church, and self.

In addition, he gave a scenario of a man who invited his wife to go to a concert. He had gotten the tickets for the event and his wife was excited about going. All of a sudden, by 4 O’clock in the evening, his boss called him into his office and said he needed help through the evening to get ready for an important meeting at 9 A.M. the next day.

If this individual is looking through spouse-centred or family-centred glasses, his decision would be based on how affected his wife will be. However, if it is money-centered, his concern would be if the overtime he’d get, or that this could lead to a potential pay-raise.

If it’s work-centred, he may think of the opportunity he’d get by spending extra hours with his boss. He would learn more about the job, score some points with his boss and further his career – or he may give himself a pat on the back for putting in hours well beyond what is required.

If he is possession-centred, he might be thinking of the things the overtime income could buy. If he is pleasure-centred, he’d probably cancel the work and go to the concert, even if his wife would be happy for him to work late.

This story pointed out the fact that whenever we are making decisions, it is from a viewpoint or many viewpoints. We make more than one decision in a day, and the question now is; from what source are we making these decisions?

What is the “source” of your decisions? With what lens are you viewing things and what is at the centre? Is it self, spouse, pleasure, job, money or promotion?

Christ Centredness

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NKJV)

When you were born again, you acknowledged the Lordship of Christ Jesus over your life. It’s a dedication, as spelt out in 2 Corinthians 5:15, that Jesus died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves. Therefore, you henceforth shouldn’t live for yourself but the One who died for you.

This means that Christ becomes the central lens through which you make decisions and your actions spring from.

This also means that we are not without an advantage; we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to guide us daily. As we renew our minds, we are empowered to know what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of God. Hallelujah!!!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

John 1:12 (NKJV)

If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives.

Galatians 5:25 (TPT)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)