The Center of the Universe

The Center of the Universe

In 1908 Lucy Maud Montgomery published Anne of Green Gables which would go on to sell more than 50 million copies since its initial release and become a worldwide bestseller. This classic story follows the life of Anne, a redheaded girl who always seems to have her head in the clouds. As the story goes on you meet a multitude of characters who all have their own charm to them. However, the story is still focused on Anne. Marilla, Diana, and Gilbert are side characters that add to the story but the story is not about them.

Think for a moment about your life. What were your dreams when you were twenty? What did you want most? What were your plans? What about at thirty, forty, fifty? As you take a moment to think about these things, consider for a moment that, just like you, every other person has dreams, desires, passions, goals, and plans. The homeless man on the street corner, the waitress at IHOP, and the mailman all have these just as you and I. Yet, it seems as if so many people go about their lives as if they are the center of the universe. We live life as if it is a story about me and everyone else is a side character that simply adds to the story. 

The Apostle Paul tells the church in Philippi to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Christians are to realize that they are not the center of the universe. We live in a culture that proclaims the need for more self-esteem, self-love, self-care, and beyond. However, this is nothing more than poison that produces self-centered individuals.

Dear Christian, what you need is not more self-esteem but to esteem Christ more! You do not need more self-love or self-care. You need to love Christ more and care for Christ more. In so doing, not only will you find joy and satisfaction for your soul, but you will begin to see others as more than just side characters in the story of you. You will begin to look to the interest of others and count them as more significant than yourself. Indeed, we all must have this attitude within us for Paul goes on to say, “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5). 

Life is not about me. Life is not about you. All of life is about Christ. Following after Christ frees us from the shackles of selfishness to love and serve others as Christ did. We are to use our freedom in Christ, for the glory of Christ and the benefit of others. Jesus summed it up well when we said that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). May God receive all the glory as we seek to do this.

Grace be with you, 
C. R. Hamilton