This Focused Center

ByJim Stephens

Reading:  2 Corinthians 5; Psalm 12

14 Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.  (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 MSG)

Paul’s encounter with the living Christ had convinced him of this one thing: God has opened a way for anyone and everyone to enter and enjoy a rich relationship with the God of the universe. The way into that relationship is simple faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. It is the mission of every believer to tell again and again the simple and personal story of our journey to faith in Christ.

When Paul met Jesus, he dedicated his life to fully experiencing God’s love and to bringing others into God’s loving family, whoever and wherever they might be. No matter what happened, no matter how circumstances changed or people behaved, Paul worked from a focused center.

It is my firm decision to live and work from this focused center:

  • I know that God loves me as a father loves his child. That means he desires to provide for me, to help me grow up, and to guide me on a path that leads to the fulfillment of all I was created to be and to do.
  • The journey will include joys and sorrows, successes and failures, gains and losses, and who I am becoming along the way is more important than what I accomplish or how far I go.
  • It is my privilege to invite others to share this journey; to encourage them and be encouraged by them as we travel together.
  • If I will be willing and attentive, he will give me some to follow and others to influence and lead. 

It’s hard to know what really matters

if we fill our lives with things that don’t!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for inviting me into a wonderful relationship with you and for making me part of the family. I am so grateful for this season of contemplation and clarification! Thanks for gently and firmly leading me to a better understanding of what really matters. Please keep on directing me toward the focused center. Amen.