I was fifteen years old watching Passion One Day. I had just finished listening to incredible worship with Charlie Hall and Chris Tomlin, and then it was time for the preaching of the Word. In walks an older gentleman in a three piece suit. He was introduced as Dr. John Piper. I thought, time to leave and take a break. By God’s grace I sat through and listened to this amazing man of God preach on the centrality of the Gospel and the supremacy of Christ. The most important question that he asked rings in my head today and I would ask you to consider it now.

Are you more satisfied in Christ when he exalts you, makes much of you, and in your exaltation he is glorified. Or are more satisfied in Christ when he destroys you, breaks you, the world will never know your name, and in that you bring utmost glory to God?

Take a moment and really consider this. It’s a question I ask of myself continuously and it is a sobering reminder of my pride. I am reminded that there is a part of me that attempts to dethrone the creator of the universe and replace His centrality with my own. Yet, the honest truth is that when we attempt to become central in all things it only yields to utter brokenness. We are not capable in the slightest to fix ourselves, our families, our world, or our culture. And the fact that our behavior proves that we think we can is evidence of our pride and our lack of understanding the greatness and majesty of God. There is no need to turn any further than the very first sentences of Genesis 1.

In. The. Beginning. God.

Prior to all created things, existence, nature, matter, there was God. And God in the beginning God initiated an action, he created through his breath and His Word, all things to come into existences (John 1, Col 1:15-20). Therefore, the center piece and focal point of all creation and history is contingent upon God. He is preeminent in all things and our right understanding of who He is and what He has done shifts our perspective of ourselves and our capabilities.

Take a moment to meditate on these scriptures:

While my centrality leads to utter brokenness and failure, the centrality of Christ leads to salvation, freedom, and true liberation.