Center of Gravity

"Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good - crucified." (Galatians 5:24 MSG)

Under normal circumstances, standing upright is not difficult for an able-bodied person. But on an open beach, when wave after wave beats you down, it is hard to keep getting back up. Unless, of course, you are a surfer who has learned the art of riding the waves. Surfers are keenly aware of their center of gravity. They know to look forward in the direction they want to go, not down at the waves--and their body position naturally follows.

Many of us try to stand in the waves by digging our toes deeper into the sand. We double down, insisting on getting our own way, mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities. We try to find stability by centering our lives on our impulses and desires. Those who belong to Christ should know better.

Faith is a lot like surfing. It takes a great deal of practice before we discover our true Center of Gravity. When Christ becomes our focal point, our pivotal concern, then we learn to ride the waves of adversity. Our confidence lies not in our own abilities, but in Christ’s strength working through us. We learn to look forward in alignment with God’s will, not down at the waves of our circumstances--and our thoughts and actions naturally follow.