So, the center can be so many different things. It can be described in terms of location, movement, part of something else, a source of influence and a focus of attention. Center can also be a gathering place, a foundation or organization created for a specific purpose, even a base for military operations.
How can we be centered within God’s will? You would think that knowing what the center is and being centered wouldn’t be that different. But we all know there is a big difference between knowing and doing. That’s the difference between knowing where to find the center of God’s will and living in the center of God’s will.
Being centered is an action. It requires movement. To get to the center of a stage, you have to find the outside edge and then MOVE to the center. To be the center of attention, you first have to get the attention of someone else. To be at the core of something, an outside shell must define what it is. Being a point of origin or influence requires that there be someone or something to be influenced. And a chief object of attention requires someone to focus on it.
How do we become centered in God’s will? By spending time with God. By spending time focusing on God. By making God the center of our attention and the source of our influence and inspiration. We can find the center of God’s will by seeking and pursuing it. We will not find it by just waiting for it to “hit us”. I tried that myself for a long time, trust me, it doesn’t work.
God’s will is “knowable”, available and attainable if we ask Him. Spend time with God (prayer). Spend time reading His word (Bible study). Spend time with His children (fellowship). They are all actions that can lead you to being centered in God’s will for you and for your life.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Center of Refuge - object of attention
Finally, center can be a person or thing that is the chief object of attention, interest, activity, or emotion.
Have you ever started a new relationship? Felt the overpowering joy of discovering a new love? Found a passion for a new pastime? Received or purchased something new that you just couldn’t get enough of?
Kids can get completely absorbed in a video game. I know because I was one and I did it, too. You want to know all the secrets of the game, how to score the most points, how to defeat the enemies and be the victor over all.
Grownup kids often do the same thing with toys of their own – a new car, an old car that is being restored, a collection, a new hobby, even a new relationship. Any of these things can become the chief object of attention. And, when they do, they can become idols in our lives because they become more important than anything else, even God.
Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on seeking the center of God’s will creates a place in our hearts and lives for God to be the chief object of attention. Our sin nature wants to occupy that position and rule our interests, activities and emotions. When “we” are in charge, we will continue to have struggles and be overrun with unwanted emotions and desires. But, when we allow God to be that focus, He will lead us on the greatest adventure of all. God wants us to enjoy life, not hide from it. God wants us to have an abundant life and He knows how to bring balance to our lives so that we can truly enjoy all that He brings our way.
Have you ever started a new relationship? Felt the overpowering joy of discovering a new love? Found a passion for a new pastime? Received or purchased something new that you just couldn’t get enough of?
Kids can get completely absorbed in a video game. I know because I was one and I did it, too. You want to know all the secrets of the game, how to score the most points, how to defeat the enemies and be the victor over all.
Grownup kids often do the same thing with toys of their own – a new car, an old car that is being restored, a collection, a new hobby, even a new relationship. Any of these things can become the chief object of attention. And, when they do, they can become idols in our lives because they become more important than anything else, even God.
Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on seeking the center of God’s will creates a place in our hearts and lives for God to be the chief object of attention. Our sin nature wants to occupy that position and rule our interests, activities and emotions. When “we” are in charge, we will continue to have struggles and be overrun with unwanted emotions and desires. But, when we allow God to be that focus, He will lead us on the greatest adventure of all. God wants us to enjoy life, not hide from it. God wants us to have an abundant life and He knows how to bring balance to our lives so that we can truly enjoy all that He brings our way.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Center of Refuge - power
The center can be a point of origin, as of influence, ideas, or actions: a center of power; a center of unrest.
We have the choice of how we will respond to God. Seeking a deeper relationship with Him, accepting His will and acting on His will can be a center of power in our lives. However, running from Him brings nothing but unrest, turbulence and anxiety into our lives. Being one who ran from God’s will for over 19 years, I speak from personal experience. You may think that you are in control and life will be alright. Until you stop and listen to God and accept His guidance, you will not know the joy of His will.
Centering on God’s will can provide a point of origin for all the decisions that we make. If we allow Him to be our influence, He will guide our ideas, our thoughts and our actions. He desires to be that center of power for us.
We have the choice of how we will respond to God. Seeking a deeper relationship with Him, accepting His will and acting on His will can be a center of power in our lives. However, running from Him brings nothing but unrest, turbulence and anxiety into our lives. Being one who ran from God’s will for over 19 years, I speak from personal experience. You may think that you are in control and life will be alright. Until you stop and listen to God and accept His guidance, you will not know the joy of His will.
Centering on God’s will can provide a point of origin for all the decisions that we make. If we allow Him to be our influence, He will guide our ideas, our thoughts and our actions. He desires to be that center of power for us.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Center of Refuge - core
The center for refuge can also be the defined as:
A part of an object that is surrounded by the rest; a core: chocolates with soft centers.
Chocolates with soft gooey centers are one of my favorite sweets. As you bite into the chocolate you savor the flavor, slowly. Then the center starts to run out and you make that extra effort to make sure that none of it is lost. I find myself closing my eyes and enjoying the flavor of the center and looking forward to the next bite to get more. That’s how it is with the love of God.
When we first experience His love, it is a sweet flavor that is to be savored. Remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. The emotion, the joy, the relief that you felt in giving up your will to accept God’s will. Then you began to experience the joy of spending time with God and learning more about Him. God wants to be the core of our desires and the sweet filling that leaves us wanting more and more.
A part of an object that is surrounded by the rest; a core: chocolates with soft centers.
Chocolates with soft gooey centers are one of my favorite sweets. As you bite into the chocolate you savor the flavor, slowly. Then the center starts to run out and you make that extra effort to make sure that none of it is lost. I find myself closing my eyes and enjoying the flavor of the center and looking forward to the next bite to get more. That’s how it is with the love of God.
When we first experience His love, it is a sweet flavor that is to be savored. Remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. The emotion, the joy, the relief that you felt in giving up your will to accept God’s will. Then you began to experience the joy of spending time with God and learning more about Him. God wants to be the core of our desires and the sweet filling that leaves us wanting more and more.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Center of Refuge - a center point
Here is a second definition for center.
A point around which something rotates or revolves: The sun is the center of the solar system.
A child always wants to be the center of attention. The child’s heart doesn’t understand that the world does not rotate around them. All they know is that their parents are there to respond to their every cry, whimper, smile or giggle. Although it isn’t always so, we all hope that infants are cared for in such a way that they truly feel the world revolves around them just as the solar system revolves around the sun.
As children of God, we can feel the same love from our Heavenly Father. His desire is to encompass us with His love in such a way that we feel Him everywhere. Look around you, even now. Everything that is there came through the hands of a loving God. You may feel blessed by that thought or you may feel angry because of unhappy circumstances. However, as you consider that you are the center of God’s affection, hopefully you will also understand that His desire for you is to see you grow in your faith and understanding of Him. Sometimes that means compassion and nurturing and sometimes that means allowing circumstances to create lessons that lead to growth. Either way, it is still the heart of a Loving God that wants to encompass us His love.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Center of Refuge
As I began to learn to "take refuge" in God, I learned that the only way to do that is to make God the center of all that I do and pursue living my life in the center of God's will.
I’ve often shared with others the “centers” of the Bible and how meaningful they were to me when I was getting ready for summer missions. I’ve even encouraged others with the words and knowledge of what God put at the center of His encouragement to us. But now, as God guides me on how to share this on a deeper level, I am even more amazed on a daily basis at the nuggets of wonder that God included so perfectly in these verses.
In searching for the center of God’s will through the center of His word, first, let’s consider what the word center is all about and how that can be used to describe the nature of God. Some synonyms for center are: middle, hub, heart, core. The center is the middle of all that is around it. It is the hub of activity. It is the heart of the situation. It is the core or central part of the whole.
Dictionaries can be such wonderful tools in studying the meaning of a word or event. Consider some of the different meanings of “center” according to The American Heritage Dictionary in relation to God and His will.
A point or place that is equally distant from the sides or outer boundaries of something; the middle: the center of a stage.
Our deepest desire should be to seek out the middle of God’s will. To find that place in our lives and hearts that leaves us completely encompassed by God’s love. Just as a point is the center of a stage, the desire for God’s guidance and presence should be in the center of all our desires.
I’ve often shared with others the “centers” of the Bible and how meaningful they were to me when I was getting ready for summer missions. I’ve even encouraged others with the words and knowledge of what God put at the center of His encouragement to us. But now, as God guides me on how to share this on a deeper level, I am even more amazed on a daily basis at the nuggets of wonder that God included so perfectly in these verses.
In searching for the center of God’s will through the center of His word, first, let’s consider what the word center is all about and how that can be used to describe the nature of God. Some synonyms for center are: middle, hub, heart, core. The center is the middle of all that is around it. It is the hub of activity. It is the heart of the situation. It is the core or central part of the whole.
Dictionaries can be such wonderful tools in studying the meaning of a word or event. Consider some of the different meanings of “center” according to The American Heritage Dictionary in relation to God and His will.
A point or place that is equally distant from the sides or outer boundaries of something; the middle: the center of a stage.
Our deepest desire should be to seek out the middle of God’s will. To find that place in our lives and hearts that leaves us completely encompassed by God’s love. Just as a point is the center of a stage, the desire for God’s guidance and presence should be in the center of all our desires.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Take Refuge
Psalms 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man"
You will find many trivial posts on the internet that show this as the center verse of the Bible. Actually, in researching many different translations and original manuscripts the translations are based on, I found that this is not true in any of them. But, whether this is the actual center verse or not, this is still probably one of the most concise descriptions of the God/Man relationships.
Through this blog, we will explore the many aspects of what taking refuge really means. But for today, let me tell you a story of how this came to be a significant verse in my life.
When I was in college (Wayland Baptist University), I applied for the Baptist Student Union (BSU) summer missions program. Part of that process included face-to-face interviews with others who had previously served as part of the BSU summer missions. One of the questions asked in the interview was, "If you aren't selected for BSU summer missions, would you like for us to forward your application to the Home Mission Board for their summer mission program?" I told them no, if BSU wasn't the place for me, then I would just go home for the summer and work.
I later received a letter that I had not been accepted by the BSU which was soon followed with the first of many letters from the Home Mission Board asking me for information to complete my application for summer missions. Naturally, since I didn't intend to apply for the Home Mission Board program, I just ignored the letters. I did not know, however, that they were sending the same letters to my home address and my parents were opening them and sending in all the required information (medical history form, letters of recommendation from my pastor and others, etc.).
Being at a Christian university, many of my friends had also applied for the different summer missions programs so that when packets of information started arriving it was easy to tell what they were about. Imagine my surprise when I got a "package" from the Home Mission Board. I was really confused, but I immediately started bargaining with God. "OK God, if this is Maine or California, I'll go." Since I lived in Texas, those were two random places to the east and west coast. Well... I opened the package and the letter began "Greetings from the great state of California".
I've always been one that needed neon signs to direct the way, but this one actually felt more like a sledge hammer, but I did get the message. Some of my other friends at the dorm had also received packages so we decided to do a Bible Study together to prepare for our assignment. We contemplated what we should study as a group and finally settled on the topic of seeking the center of God's will. After all, we were going on the "mission field," so we really needed to be centered in what God would have for us while we were there. In preparing for the study, I found a list of trivia in the back of my "Open Bible" published by Zondervan. There it had Psalms 118:8 as the center verse of the Bible, 2 Chronicles 20:17 as the center of the Old Testament, Acts 17:17 as the center of the New Testament and Psalms 117 as both the shortest chapter and the middle chapter of the Bible.
The trivia about Psalms 117 is the only part of this that is correct, but when combined as a study, these passages make a powerful message about who God is and his relationship with mankind. As part of this blog, I'll go through the different passages and how they came together as part of that study.
For today, remember that taking refuge in God rather than trusting in Man means that God must be first in your life. Even ahead of your own personal desires.
You will find many trivial posts on the internet that show this as the center verse of the Bible. Actually, in researching many different translations and original manuscripts the translations are based on, I found that this is not true in any of them. But, whether this is the actual center verse or not, this is still probably one of the most concise descriptions of the God/Man relationships.
Through this blog, we will explore the many aspects of what taking refuge really means. But for today, let me tell you a story of how this came to be a significant verse in my life.
When I was in college (Wayland Baptist University), I applied for the Baptist Student Union (BSU) summer missions program. Part of that process included face-to-face interviews with others who had previously served as part of the BSU summer missions. One of the questions asked in the interview was, "If you aren't selected for BSU summer missions, would you like for us to forward your application to the Home Mission Board for their summer mission program?" I told them no, if BSU wasn't the place for me, then I would just go home for the summer and work.
I later received a letter that I had not been accepted by the BSU which was soon followed with the first of many letters from the Home Mission Board asking me for information to complete my application for summer missions. Naturally, since I didn't intend to apply for the Home Mission Board program, I just ignored the letters. I did not know, however, that they were sending the same letters to my home address and my parents were opening them and sending in all the required information (medical history form, letters of recommendation from my pastor and others, etc.).
Being at a Christian university, many of my friends had also applied for the different summer missions programs so that when packets of information started arriving it was easy to tell what they were about. Imagine my surprise when I got a "package" from the Home Mission Board. I was really confused, but I immediately started bargaining with God. "OK God, if this is Maine or California, I'll go." Since I lived in Texas, those were two random places to the east and west coast. Well... I opened the package and the letter began "Greetings from the great state of California".
I've always been one that needed neon signs to direct the way, but this one actually felt more like a sledge hammer, but I did get the message. Some of my other friends at the dorm had also received packages so we decided to do a Bible Study together to prepare for our assignment. We contemplated what we should study as a group and finally settled on the topic of seeking the center of God's will. After all, we were going on the "mission field," so we really needed to be centered in what God would have for us while we were there. In preparing for the study, I found a list of trivia in the back of my "Open Bible" published by Zondervan. There it had Psalms 118:8 as the center verse of the Bible, 2 Chronicles 20:17 as the center of the Old Testament, Acts 17:17 as the center of the New Testament and Psalms 117 as both the shortest chapter and the middle chapter of the Bible.
The trivia about Psalms 117 is the only part of this that is correct, but when combined as a study, these passages make a powerful message about who God is and his relationship with mankind. As part of this blog, I'll go through the different passages and how they came together as part of that study.
For today, remember that taking refuge in God rather than trusting in Man means that God must be first in your life. Even ahead of your own personal desires.
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