Healthy Heart Checkഉദാഹരണം

How do we know if Jesus truly occupies the center of our lives? The first indicator is found in what surrounds us. In the garden, the positioning of other elements revealed what was at the center. With the Israelites, the arrangement of the tribes showed what occupied the middle position. At Calvary, the placement of the thieves indicated who was in the center.

Similarly, we can determine what's at the center of our lives by examining what surrounds us—our priorities, relationships, conversations, and activities. These elements reveal what truly occupies the central position in our hearts.

Our words provide one of the clearest indicators. In Luke 6:45 it says, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks." I've noticed in my own life that certain phrases signal when Christ has been displaced. When I hear myself saying, "I'm so frustrated," "This is annoying," or "I'm overwhelmed," these are warning signs that Jesus may not be centrally positioned.

Consider your own speech patterns. What words do you frequently use that might indicate Christ has been shifted from the center? Perhaps phrases like "I'm worried," "I don't have time," or "I can't handle this" reveal areas where His centrality has been compromised. Our words often emerge from whatever occupies the central position in our hearts.

The atmosphere around us offers another crucial indicator. When Christ truly occupies the center, a specific atmosphere develops—peace prevails amid challenges, clarity emerges despite complexity, and rest remains possible even in busy seasons. Conversely, when anxiety, confusion, or exhaustion characterizes our environment, it suggests something other than Christ has taken the central position.

I experienced this reality when I enrolled in classes for my job. Though the decision seemed right initially, I soon felt overwhelmed and recognized that I hadn't fully placed Christ at the center. After reassessing and having an honest conversation with God, I dropped one of the classes and immediately experienced peace. That peace confirmed Christ had been restored to His proper place.

A lack of peace often serves as a spiritual alarm system, alerting us when something has displaced Christ. This doesn't mean everything will always feel easy when Christ is central, but even amid difficulties, His peace that "surpasses all understanding" becomes our stabilizing force.

Another indicator is how we use our time. When I find myself excessively scrolling through social media or binging shows, it often reveals I'm trying to fill a void that only Christ can occupy. These behaviors aren't inherently wrong, but when they become escapism rather than refreshment, they suggest Christ has been displaced.

Remember that centrality isn't just about religious activities. We can excel at putting Christ at the center of church attendance while keeping Him peripheral in our work relationships, financial decisions, or entertainment choices. True centrality means Christ occupies the middle position in every area of life.

Pause and Ponder: What specific words, feelings, or behaviors have been alerting you that Christ may not be at the center of certain areas in your life?