We are a gullible culture. All of us. It’s easy to poke fun at conservative Christians (and part of it is a critique of my own tribe), and when I say “everyone” then there are those who say, “SEE! You are into both sideism! Or, whataboutism !” (So, there… you can be offended about that today.)

But it comes to an inflection point from time to time where it seems we are all waking up, glancing at our newsfeeds, social media, texts, etc., and daring to ask “the interwebs”… what do I need to be offended at today? If it’s not an initial reaction to something (the assassination attempt, Biden dropping out, or the Paris Olympics) then it is to react to the initial reaction.

And off we go.

It is tempting to begin my day with newsfeeds, emails, social media, or any combination of the three… I am writing this to me (as I do most blog posts).

I am reminded from Reversed Thunder, by Eugene Peterson, that this is the chaotic life. It is to begin the day away from the center. I am reminded in Revelation that worship is the center. The throne is the center. It is there I am reminded “the Lord reigns!”

“People who do not worship are swept into a vast restlessness, epidemic in the world, with no steady direction and no sustaining purpose.” (p. 60)

We find our daily lives pushed and shoved and pulled in every direction. We look for satisfaction… no, reaction… no, meaning… no, outrage.

Let’s admit it… we don’t have any idea what we’re looking for, so we succumb to the de-centered life turning us away from the throne, and thus away from authority.

“Life lurches from one partial satisfaction to another, interrupted by ditches of disappointment.” (p. 60)

I get tired of the lurching. It happens far too regularly. My life needs to be centered on the throne… the place of authority. Where the world is put to rights. This is where I need to dwell. It is to begin the day in worship. It could be the daily office. It could be reading the Psalms. No matter the vehicle, it needs to be the first thing entering our brains in the morning. The chaos can wait outside the door.

Jesus, be the center.