The Center of Your Life
We live in a self-centered world. One in which many people see themselves as the center of the universe. The bullseye on the dart board.
Our culture is also one of self-realization (actualization); the need to fulfill one’s full potential. I realize those statements are an overly broad stroke of my paint brush and are intended to simply be a generalization of society as a whole. Psychologist Abraham Maslow puts this idea of self-realization as the final stage of development in his “Hierarchy of Needs.” Maslow said it is, “self-fulfillment to become actualized in what he is potentially.”
I see nothing wrong with the desire to become better versions of ourselves. But there is a danger in striving to be “fully” ourselves. Doing so in a self-focused way, we are essentially saying “I have no need for Jesus.” While society says self-realization, I propose a different approach to becoming our best self: Christ-realization.
A central theme of the gospel message is re-birth: being reborn as a believer in Jesus Christ, becoming sons and daughters of God. This idea of re-birth implies dying to our self-centered self and wholeheartedly seeking the ways and purposes of the kingdom of God. The apostle Paul wrote, “our old self was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6). He also penned these words, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit would come and go, empowering certain people for service, but not remaining with them permanently. Examples: Samson (Judges 13:25), Joshua (Numbers 27:18), Othniel (Judges 3:10). Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:5). As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death, he revealed the new role that the Spirit would play in their lives – “he dwells with you and will be in you” (in context, John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is not some add-on that super-Christians receive. We all receive the Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
In my understanding, becoming our best self happens through the leading of the Holy Spirit. If we truly walk with Jesus, we become increasingly more sensitive to the Spirit’s activity. Doing so requires a belief that the Father is always at work, in the world and in our lives, and learning to perceive what He is doing and join him in that work. As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure, He said this to them – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). Our best self happens in following the way: walk of Christ, being guided by the Spirit.
Receiving the Spirit is automatic. Asking to be led by him requires intentionality. If we ask to be guided (controlled) by the Spirit, we are told this by Jesus – “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).
Self-realization might help you fulfill your “destiny,” but Christ-realization leads to you fulfilling your God-given purpose. The Westminster Shorter Catechism (a series of questions and answers about basic Christian doctrine) asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” Or asked another way – “What am I here for? What is my purpose?” The catechism answers that question with this – “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
Right now, humble yourself, seek the Spirit’s guidance, and pray these words of David, words he cried out as he fled from Saul and hid in a cave – “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purposes for me” (Psalm 57:2).
Who is the center of your life?
If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.