This post is part 2 about our center. See part 1 here.
God and Other Centered ….
When God and others become the center of my focus, I quit thinking of everything in terms of me - “What is this saying about me?” or “How is this going to affect me?”
This concept is the antithesis of our current culture. Life is not about me!
Besides looking through the lens of others, we can also see the situation with “God eyes.” We can see life as God sees it. This is part of growing and maturing as a believer.
If I think that my spouse isn't meeting my needs, I can shift my focus from "I am unhappy" to "How can I do for my spouse?"
If a friend or family member says something that hurts my feelings, I can re-focus from "Why are they trying to hurt me?" to "I don't think they want to intentionally hurt me. I wonder what they were really trying to say. I will ask them to clarify what they are saying."
If I missed that stage of development in my own life, I can be intentional about changing.
Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
- Is there a truth here about me that God wants me to learn?
- Am I open and teachable?
- Is there something about God Himself that He wants me to learn?
- How does He want me to interact with the person in this situation?
The Focus of a Child ….
It’s true that children are born with an innocence about the world. But they are also born with an inclination to sin. We don’t have to teach children to be selfish. Part of our role as an adult is to teach them to move from “self” to others and God.
Children are very self-centered because everything is centered on them from birth. They can’t do anything for themselves. So, if they cry, someone runs to their aid. Every need is met by someone else. Someone feeds them. Someone keeps them warm. Someone makes sure that they are rested.
But a day comes when, they are no longer the center of the world - other people’s need are taken care of - sometimes before that of the baby. Children can be taught and trained to look at the needs of the people in their world - before their own.
We teach them to focus on what God wants in a relationship with them and what He wants for them in relationships with other people. This shift does not happen on its own! We have to teach them!
Children are very self-centered because everything is centered on them from birth. They can’t do anything for themselves. So, if they cry, someone runs to their aid. Every need is met by someone else. Someone feeds them. Someone keeps them warm. Someone makes sure that they are rested.
But a day comes when, they are no longer the center of the world - other people’s need are taken care of - sometimes before that of the baby. Children can be taught and trained to look at the needs of the people in their world - before their own.
We teach them to focus on what God wants in a relationship with them and what He wants for them in relationships with other people. This shift does not happen on its own! We have to teach them!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.
[Deuteronomy 6:5-7]
