Like most children there was a time I had to figure out how to learn directions.  This was long before GPS so we had to learn maps and compass directions. At some point the fact that the sun appears in the east and disappears to the west made sense to me.  I learned that the house I grew-up in faced east. The was to the Atlantic Ocean was out the front door and the Pacific Ocean was through the back yard. Canada would be to my left and I looked out the front window and the Gulf of Mexico would be to my right (growing up in Pensacola, Florida, I knew where the Gulf was).

I suppose you learned geography in a similar way. We place ourselves in the center of the world and measure everything from there.  GPS is no different.  When I am driving there is a little triangle that indicates where I am and displays a map of the roads around me.  The voice even tells me how far the next turn is from where I am. When I end the trip the voice pads my ego by telling me how awesome I am when he says, “You have arrived!” I feel quite accomplished when he says that.

We set ourselves at the center of our GPS.

By default, we become the center of our map, of the GPS, of the world. I begin with me and where I am and evaluate everything from my point of view. From this comes a great desire and ability to justify what “I” do. When someone criticizes my attitude, point of view, or choice, he is criticizing me. If you try to prove my opinion is wrong, my ego takes a punch and my inner Yosemite Sam screams, “Them’s fightin’ words!”

The real danger is when I begin to believe that I cannot be wrong. When I think that I know my opinions and values are the standard of what is correct. The bumper sticker from the ’80s and 90’s said, “Beam me up, Scotty. There’s no intelligent life down here.” As a Scott (and a Scot by heritage) I wanted to ask, “What makes you an exception?” We claim that we are not perfect, but deep inside we disclaim our imperfections.

Yet, we are not complete. I have limited knowledge. I have limited access to certain knowledge. Knowing that means that I may not have all the information I need to make and informed opinion and there fore my opinion might be wrong. This applies to politics, news reports, crime, violence, what is going on in your family or marriage, or in the coach’s office.

There is One who is truly the center of not only the globe, but the universe. He is God’s gift to mankind. He is preeminent. He is Creator, Sustainer, Life-giver, and Savior. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. He is the True Standard. His instructions and example are right. His life and vicarious death give Him the right to instruction us in the way we should live. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the only way to God (John 14:6).

The Word of God is THE Standard.

His Word is the Standard, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48). We compare ourselves to that central teaching, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (Jas 1:25).

-Scott

Dear Father,

Help me remove myself from the center of my life. Help me to place Christ on that throne. I want my life to be Yours and Yours alone.

In Jesus Name,