Keeping Christ at the Center

As autumn approaches and routines begin to reestablish
themselves, familiar ruts and old patterns of behavior can become solace for
those seeking rest from the chaos of summer. However, as the return to routine
makes its seasonal shift, the opportunity is presented to establish a new,
fresh focus on Christ and the central role He should play in the lives of
Christians. Too often Christians make faith an accessory to life when, in fact,
everything else in life should be an accessory that compliments faith. God and
His word must be a filter through which Christians monitor their speech, their
daily tasks and priorities, and thoughts.

Carefully choosing vocabulary that is edifying and
encouraging is a command echoed throughout scripture. Even in casual
conversation, Christians are instructed to bring glory to God. Colossians 3:17,
which says, “[a]nd whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus,” plainly states this command. It can be easy to think
that God is passive in caring about the mundane speech engaged in during the day,
but He listens and He cares. The Psalmist, David, understood the sacredness of
speech and committed the matter to prayer in Psalm 9:14. He wrote, “[l]et the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O
Lord.”

God expresses His desire to be amidst all that His children
do. When He gave Moses the tablets of stone on Mt. Sinai, the first commandment
written on those tablets spoke to the importance of keeping God first in life.
As priorities shift this season, working as unto the Lord, as Paul instructed
the church in Colossae, should be at the forefront of the Christian’s mind. Ecclesiastes
9:10, a verse often quoted to children, is a simple yet powerful reminder that
no matter what task is at hand, it should be completed with all the strength
that the Lord has provided. Using gifts, talents, and resources to honor the
Lord is a testimony to the world of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

While speech and actions should be to the exaltation of
Christ, both of these things are birthed in the mind and in the heart. Without
intentionally taming the mind to stay focused on the things of Christ, it
becomes difficult to gain control of speech and behavior. The thought life, the
place from where Jesus said our words and deeds flow in Matthew 12:34, requires
perhaps the most attention from believers. Paul carefully instructs believers
in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take every thought captive.” Scripture reveals that
Christians must filter all thoughts through the lens of God’s word so that
nothing is able to take root that would be displeasing to the Lord. The
framework for such a filter is given in Philippians 4:8. Here, as Paul leaves
final instructions in his letter to the church in Philippi, he provides a way
to winnow out thoughts that are harmful for spiritual growth. Keeping the mind
fixed on these things is not easy when distractions come from anxiety, boredom,
depression, and fatigue. But asking the Holy Spirit to act as a guide into a
mind immersed in the things of Christ is a simple first step.

During the transition from the variables of summer to the
methodical routines of fall, take time to refocus speech, works, and thoughts
so that Christ is at the core. Develop specific actionables that can be
implemented as checkpoints throughout the day to serve as reminders that in all
things, in every detail of every day, Christ should be given honor and glory. Commit
to prayer the areas that are more difficult to keep centered around the Lord.