Based on “Living and Dying for What?” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/10-11/10,
Message # 6054; Daily Devotional #4 - “Spinning for Jesus”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Have you ever watched a gyroscope, or simple children’s top, spinning cheerfully away and marveled that it seemed to defy gravity, staying upright on its tiny base as it zoomed about on the table top or kitchen floor? We know that the toy will just flop over if it is simply perched on that base, but when given a spin, it takes on a mysteriously amazing life of its own. As long as the top is spinning around its axis, the pressures exerted by gravity have no effect, because the spin on the outer disk, or body of the top, essentially pulls on all sides at once, thereby keeping the top upright. When the top tries to wobble, the axis will glide to the side, rebalancing the pressure to the whole. It is only as the outer disk slows to a stop that the gravity can again pull at one side of the whole and cause the toy to fall.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): There are many things that spin around in our lives, each pulling at our time and energy. Relationships, careers, money, pleasure, power, and hobbies are only a few of the multitude of issues we balance every day. Each has the tendency to topple us over when we start to focus solely on it, rather than keeping all of our being equally centered on Jesus, our axis.
From time to time something will move to the forefront, and bring a wobble to our course. Often Jesus will glide us aside until we manage to rebalance, and start to spin on course once again. However, when we allow anything to slow our spin too far, we may find ourselves toppled over in a heap, wondering just what the meaning of our lives should be.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Since Paul had learned the secret to letting all the details of his life spin around Jesus; he did not lose his balance by the circumstances he faced in that Roman jail. The threat of death and the prospect of life were equal in his mind because his purpose for being was the same either way, to exalt Christ.
If it is easy for you to start to wobble in your faith, and things seem to be out of whack, it’s the perfect time to candidly complete this week’s homework statement: For me to live is ______. If you find that you fill in the blank with anything other than Christ, you may be headed for a plunge. Ask Jesus to help you bring your priorities back in line and give you balance as you spin out your life for Him. He stands ever ready to be your support and show you fulfillment and peace as you endeavor, like Paul, to exalt Christ with all that you do.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 37:23-24; Ecclesiastes 12:13
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.