Keeping God at the Center: A Call to Realign Our Lives

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often find ourselves chasing after success, comfort, and worldly achievements, only to realize that something fundamental is missing. That something is God at the center of our lives.

The concept of centering our lives around God isn't new, but it's one that we need to be constantly reminded of. The Bible is replete with examples and truths that speak to this central dynamic. From the tree of knowledge in the midst of the Garden of Eden to God being in the middle of the Israelite camp, Scripture continually points us back to the importance of keeping God central.

But what does it truly mean to have a God-centered life? It's more than just attending church or saying a quick prayer before meals. A God-centered life is one where our guiding principles, ultimate meaning, goals, and true happiness are all defined by and rooted in God. It's a life where we intentionally step down from the throne of our own desires and invite God to take His rightful place.

This intentional repositioning of God to the center of our lives is a daily task. As the apostle Paul urges in Romans 12:1, we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices. This isn't a one-time event but a continual process of dying to self and allowing God to reign supreme in every aspect of our lives.

However, this is easier said than done. Our default setting, if we're honest, is self-centeredness. Without careful and intentional effort, we naturally drift back to making ourselves the focal point of our universe. This drift can be subtle, often disguised as good intentions or even seemingly noble pursuits.

Consider the story of Lot in the Bible. His choices, while perhaps well-intentioned, gradually moved him and his family away from God's center. The result was disastrous, with his children not even believing him when warned of impending judgment. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of not just believing in God, but actively keeping Him at the core of our family life and decisions.

In our modern context, we face numerous competing priorities that threaten to displace God from the center. Career ambitions, family commitments, personal goals, and even church activities can inadvertently push God to the periphery if we're not vigilant. The challenge is to reorient all these aspects of life around God, rather than compartmentalizing our faith.

A powerful illustration of this comes from the world of astronomy. Just as Nicholas Copernicus revolutionized our understanding of the solar system by proving that the sun, not the earth, was at its center, we too need a paradigm shift in our spiritual lives. We must move from a self-centric to a God-centric worldview, allowing everything else to revolve around Him.

This shift requires honest self-examination. We must ask ourselves tough questions:
- How am I maintaining God as the center of my life?
- What is my number one worry right now?
- When was the last time I fasted or truly expressed love for someone not related to me?
- If everything were taken away, where would I turn?

These questions help us identify areas where we may have unconsciously pushed God aside, replacing Him with other concerns or idols.

The apostle Paul provides a powerful example of what a truly God-centered life looks like. In Philippians 3:7-10, he declares that he counts everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Paul's singular focus was to know Christ more deeply, to experience the power of His resurrection, and even to share in His sufferings.

This radical reorientation of life around God doesn't mean abandoning all earthly pursuits or responsibilities. Rather, it means viewing and approaching everything through the lens of our relationship with God. It means finding contentment in godliness, as Paul advises in 1 Timothy 6:6, rather than constantly chasing after more.

Practically, keeping God at the center might look like:
- Starting and ending each day in prayer and Scripture reading
- Regularly fasting to focus on spiritual growth
- Intentionally sharing your faith and God's goodness with others, especially your family
- Viewing your work, studies, and relationships as opportunities to glorify God
- Making decisions based on biblical principles rather than worldly wisdom or personal desire

The beautiful paradox is that when we truly put God first, everything else tends to fall into place. Jesus promised in Matthew 6:33 that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these other things will be added unto us.

Realigning our lives with God at the center is not a one-time event but a continual process. It requires daily surrender, intentional choices, and sometimes uncomfortable self-reflection. But the rewards are immeasurable – a life of purpose, peace, and true fulfillment that can weather any storm.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let's challenge ourselves to regularly check our spiritual alignment. Are we drifting towards self-centeredness or other distractions? Or are we actively keeping God at the core of our existence? The invitation is always open to return to our true center, to find our ultimate identity and purpose in relationship with our Creator.

In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, may we have the courage and conviction to anchor ourselves firmly in God, allowing Him to be the gravitational center around which every aspect of our lives revolves. For it is only when God is truly at the center that we find the stability, purpose, and abundant life He intends for us.

Here are the scripture references mentioned or alluded to in the sermon, along with some relevant verses that align with the main themes:

Explicitly mentioned:
1. Isaiah 46:9-10
2. Colossians 1:15-19
3. Colossians 2:8-10
4. Psalms 119:10-16
5. Romans 12:1
6. Matthew 7:24-27
7. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
8. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
9. Philippians 3:7-10

Alluded to or implied:
1. Genesis 2:9 (Tree of knowledge in the midst of the garden)
2. Exodus 8:22 (God in the middle of the earth)
3. Numbers 2 (God at the center of Israel's camp)
4. Ephesians 5:25 (Husbands love your wives)
5. Ephesians 5:22 (Wives submit to your husbands)