There are a couple of new safety features in our car that surprised us as we have driven on the freeways. They are part of the LFA or Lane Following Assist and they remind us to stay centered in our lane. If we get too close to the lane marker two things happen, we hear a ‘beep beep’ sound and the steering wheel gently steers back toward the center. It was a bit of a surprise at first to feel the tug of the steering wheel for a few brief moments, but now we understand what is happening. For our safety, the cameras and sensors keep us centered!
This reminded me of how we need to be centered in Christ, centered on the path He has for us. In John 5:30-45, the passage continually points to Christ. In verse 39, “the Scriptures…bear witness about Me.” In verse 46, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me for he wrote of Me.” In verse 37, “And the Father who sent Me has Himself borne witness about Me..”
Even after coming to Christ, we may center on ourselves instead of Him. Miroslav Volf says we have a “wrongly centered self that needs to be de-centered by being nailed to a cross.” It is easy to go back to the familiar, the old patterns of doing things. We must replace those old patterns with God’s words and thoughts; as we abandon ourselves, our wills, and our minds to Him, His words keep us centered in Christ. How does this happen? Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8-9. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me-put it into practice.
This journey’s path is one of continual transformation because we will often have to de-center ourselves and center in Christ. We sense a ‘beep’ and realize we have moved away from the center and then return to Him being centered. But we have confidence that He will complete this work in us because He said He would.
Perhaps we could have a CCA or a Christ Centering Assist and there is one in a very familiar verse:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Meditation: Please take some time to meditate on Philippians 4:8-9. Read through it slowly several times. What word or phrase draw you? How might God use this to center Christ in you? Talk with our Father about it!
Francie Overstreet