Susie-Q&A

• Feb. 6, 2007 - Jesus as the Center

In church on Sunday we sang this song:

Jesus be the center
Be my source be my light Jesus
Jesus be the center
Be my song Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in my sails
Be the reason that I live

Jesus Jesus
Jesus be my vision
Be my help
Be my guide Jesus

© 1999 Vineyard Songs

I like Vineyard music. :)

Anyway, it reminded me of a message I heard or read long ago that introduced an indelible image into my mind. I can't even remember who gave the message, but the author said that Jesus must be our axis.

Think about it: a planet can rotate only on one axis. In the same way, we can only serve one Master. If our lives are not rotating **only** around the Lord Jesus, He is not really our Master.

This has served to check my thinking many, many times. Is every aspect of my life centered on Jesus? Is all my work, all my service, all my heart poured out for Him?

Often, I am distressed to find that instead I have made productivity and "success" (which is pretty nebulous for the SAHM) the center of my life. If I laze around and don't spend my days in productive work, my estimation of myself starts to sink down into the pits. So, to buck myself up, I start working hard on homeschooling, baking, cleaning, errands, paperwork, etc. I start organizing, re-organizing, decluttering, moving stuff around. All because my restless heart is condemning me.

Of course, no one will ever fault me for being productive. From the outside, it looks like I'm being "good." I want my husband and my own conscience to commend me for what *I* have done. But working hard just to feel better about myself is way, way off the mark. I'm still rotating around the axis of self.

If Jesus is my center, then my heart will serve him with joy. My work will be for *His* commendation, not my own. My life's purpose will be to let His glory shine bright. I won't waste my life in anxious self-promoting work.

He says to me: "You are restless and anxious about many things. Choose the better part. Come sit at My feet." I need to pray for renewed zeal for His glory to rise up in my heart.

Comments

• Feb. 7, 2007 - Well Said

Posted by Melkhi

In my sidebar, I linked to a sermon audio that I appreciated, and at the end, the pastor said something similar. He said that what mattered was our conscience before God, not our accomplishments.

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