UnShaded Revelations

Fam, I didn’t think I’d be back so soon with another post, yet here we are!

Ever noticed how God tends to give us answers before we even realize we need them? Just yesterday, I was chatting with a friend and found myself posing what I thought were random, rhetorical questions. Yet, this morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks – those questions? I’d been given the answers months ago, then again just days ago. Crazy, right? Just follow me for a minute…

Have you ever thought about what sits at the center of your life? (Like what guides your thoughts, actions, and decisions?)

It’s a question that hit home during my pastor’s “Anti-Apathy” series, earlier this year. However, it wasn’t until this morning that everything clicked. There, in that simple question, lies the answer to the random, not-so-random, questions, I had the day before.

Think of it like this: imagine our lives as a solar system (blame my son’s fascination with the solar system..lol). At the center, you’ve got the Sun, and around it, everything else orbits.

Here’s the thing – it isn’t just about spatial dynamics; it’s about influence. The Sun’s gravitational pull affects everything—weather patterns, seasons, climates, ocean currents, and even the very essence of life on each planet. Similarly, when we place God at the center of our lives, He’s able to influence every aspect. Shaping our decisions, our attitudes, and our actions. Just like the Sun’s presence dictates the rhythm of the solar system, God’s presence sets the tone for our lives, guiding us through seasons of joy, challenges, and everything in between.

One of the analogies my pastor used really resonated with me: he said (paraphrasing), storms come to reveal what is at the center of our lives. Simply put: challenges show us what we’re anchored to and influenced by. What reigns over us? Are we ruled by our emotions, essentially making them our masters? Do our relationships shape our life’s journey? Do we allow our aspirations to dictate how we move through life? Is it our self-imposed timeline that influences our decision-making? Or do we consciously prioritize seeking God first, surrendering to His wisdom to navigate us through our life’s journey?

As we navigate the twists and turns of life, we’re bound to face storms and bask in moments of joy. And you know what comes with that rollercoaster? Emotions— the whole gamut of them. Fear, anger, sadness when things get tough, and happiness, joy, excitement in the good times. Keeping God at the center doesn’t mean suppressing or denying our emotions. You’re entitled to feel what you feel. What really matters is how we respond to them. Do our actions or reactions reflect God’s love, His plan, His principles? Are we guided by faith rather than driven by fear?

For me, keeping God at the center means striving to live in a way that reflects His love, compassion, and wisdom. It means pausing in the midst of the noise to seek His guidance and trust in His plan, even when I don’t see the way ahead. It means seeking Him when I need to make decisions, big or small, and engaging in conversation with Him multiple times a day. It involves acknowledging His presence in every aspect of life, recognizing His hand in both the grand moments and the seemingly mundane ones. It’s about finding gratitude in the ordinary, knowing that each moment is a gift from Him. Living with a sense of purpose, knowing that He has a plan for each of us, and trusting that He will lead us where we need to go. It’s about serving others, extending the love and compassion we receive from God to those around us, embodying His teachings in our actions towards others. It’s about aligning our lives with His will and allowing His guidance to shape our responses, even in the face of the unexpected.

So, when unexpected things happen, we have to remind ourselves to anchor our response in faith. Aim to let go of control and surrender to God’s will, trusting that He will see us through the storm. By keeping Christ at the center of it all, we find strength, peace, and hope to weather life’s toughest challenges. 

Wondering what that looks like in everyday life?

Daily Devotion: Start your day with intentionality by engaging in prayer and meditation on God’s word. Dedicate time to read the Bible and reflect on its teachings, laying a strong foundation for the day ahead.

Intentional Decision Making: Before making any decision, big or small, pause and seek God’s guidance through prayer. Invite Him into the decision-making process and trust in His wisdom to lead you in the right direction.

Connect with Community: We often forget the importance of having communities and live/work in silos. God didn’t create us to do life alone. Being part of a supportive community strengthens our faith and provides accountability in our journey.

Surrender in Prayer: When faced with challenges or uncertainties, instead of relying solely on our own strength, surrender them to God in prayer. Trust in His Sovereignty and take solace in His peace. 

Regular Self-Reflection: Take time to examine your heart and evaluate whether God truly occupies the central place in your life. Identify any areas where other priorities may be competing for His position. Be willing to surrender those areas to Him and realign your focus on what truly matters.

Commitment to Compassion: Serve others and show compassion to those in need. Look for opportunities to extend love and kindness. Serving others not only honors God, but also helps to keep our hearts attuned to His will.

Remember the words of Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” and Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

So back to those seemingly rhetorical questions; what was the answer? God. Somehow, I’ve been navigating life with God off-center and slightly out of focus but what I’m grateful for is that God doesn’t hold that against me. He’s just as welcoming, loving, and gracious as He was when I first encountered Him.

My encouragement to you is to make God the focus –not your job, your kids, your partner or your imaginary timeline — but God. There you’ll discover the purpose, peace, grace, and love you’ve been searching for. It’s all there — at the center.

Love & Grace,

Chels