In recent years I’ve heard the term “centered” often used to describe a state of being that everyone should strive to attain. It is defined as having a central point or internal compass from which our lives can remain in sync as our authentic self. Another closely related idea is life balance. Except with life balance the concept is that our lives are compartmentalized or segmented into roles, each of which must be kept within its proper perspective so as not to become out of balance. It seems clear from these new age concepts that humans are on a quest toward something existential in life. We innately seek to find a reason or purpose to life beyond simply “living and dying in 3/4 time” as songwriter Jimmy Buffet put it. Life wasn’t meant to be this difficult.
In paradise, the garden of delight, humanity was given both an identity and a purpose. Not because they had earned it or were worthy of it, but simply as an expression of love from God. Their identity was that of an icon or image of their creator. As images of God, they had all the potential and promise of living in a state of complete fulfillment, all the time. But tragically humans believed the serpent and decided being in control of their own destiny was a better idea. That making themselves the center or featured character in this drama called life would effectively make them gods with a more complete perspective and experience of life in the garden. Tragically just as God had warned; what they perceived as good was, in fact, a deadly poison that has infected all of humanity. We know that poison as “self-centeredness”.
The question we all must ask is not whether being centered is a good idea. But rather what do we place at the center of our lives? Most often people choose some self-determined identity like doctor, homemaker, preacher etc. a role or aspiration around which to organize their lives. The problem is none of them ever really satisfy the primordial ache because no one or nothing belongs at the center of God’s images other than Him. God is the only one who fits perfectly into the empty space of the inner longings of every human heart. Living in proper relationship to God as the center of life was known by the Hebrew people as the state of shalom.
Shalom is commonly used as a greeting among Jewish traditions and is understood as “peace”. But its richness is much deeper than simply the absence of conflict. Biblically shalom is the state of completeness, wholeness, or well-being as it was originally intended by the creator. Shalom is the recovery of our Eden likeness before the fall.
Jesus is the only person who fully lived his life in a state of shalom. There was never a time when Jesus had lost his centeredness. He lived every day with God at the center of his heart and life. In scripture he is called the “prince of peace” emphasizing not just rulership but also leadership. He perfectly marked the path back to Shalom. His was not just a life filled with wise sayings but a way of being that showed the way back to the lost paradise of life with God at the center. On the night before his crucifixion, he said the following to his disciples:
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”
Jesus drew a distinction between the peace he offered and the peace the world offers. At the end of life, the world’s shalom or wholeness will never satisfy. Being rich will never be enough. Physical beauty or fitness will never be enough. Intellectual brilliance will never be enough. These are the elements of the peace the world offers. Jesus did not offer this kind of peace. He offered a peace that can only be found when God lives in His rightful place at the center of our heart.
Putting God back in his rightful position at the center of our lives is no easy task. It takes more than just accepting Christ as savior. More than just reading our Bibles and saying our prayers. It must involve the difficult work of removing the other selfish idols of from the throne reserved for God. The false gods of self-esteem, self-worth, self-achievement, self-help, and every other self-based concepts so frequently promoted and accepted must be torn down. Jesus said the kingdom of God is taken by violence. No one will recover God’s throne in their heart without a fight.
So, take courage dear one and joyfully take up the fight with Jesus at your side to tear down the idols of self and put God back where He belongs at the center of life. Then we can say we are truly centered and alive!
Until next time .. Shalom brothers and sisters in the Lord!
All My Love,
