The God-Centred Life

Where is God when we need Him? Sometimes He seems so far away. Perhaps we’re looking for direction, or assurance that we’re on the right track, or crying out for help when things are desperate. Has He withdrawn from us because we’ve drifted down the wrong path?

When everything is going well we can praise His name and enjoy His presence. We can rest in the truth of His word and know His promises and protection. We can testify of His coming into our lives just at our point of need, and become a beacon of light in the darkness. But that was yesterday. Now, we sometimes wonder if He’s listening.

‘We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:15-16).

God is God. - The Lord God Almighty. Not the genie in the lamp who grants our wishes whenever we ask Him. Jesus is Lord, the One with all power and authority. (John 17:2). We need to ‘submit to God and be at peace with him. In this way prosperity will come.’ (Job 22:21).

God is not a million miles away. ‘The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.’ (Psalm 145:18). But He must be the centre of our life. The Apostle Paul said. ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20).

We need to recognise who we are in Christ. We’re different from non-believers and different from what we used to be. We must adjust our lives accordingly. ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). ‘Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14).

Here we have a problem - Holiness. How can I become holy? Jesus said: “I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth” (John 17:19 NLT). Jesus has already done it, through the cross. All we have to do is receive it, and live in it.

Jesus wants to live within us, enabling us to live a God centred life (1 Corinthians 6:19). With Jesus on the inside He can take up His rightful place as Lord, and as we submit to Him He becomes our provider, protector, strength and guide. If we keep Him out we struggle and cry, ”Where are You, Lord?”

So now we can approach the King of kings without fear or anxiety, and focus, not on what we want, but on the King Himself. Then He will ensure that we have all we need, and more, ‘for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom’ (Luke 12:29-32).

Prayer: Please forgive me, Lord, for taking You for granted, and looking to You only for my own wants and desires. I realise You are bigger than all my problems, and I have allowed them to prevent me from seeing You. Please help me to look beyond my problems, to You, and allow You space to move in my life, so that with You all things work together for good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.