Friday’s Devotion: Lowering Our Center of Gravity

Modified and used 8-27-20

Philippians 3:14 (NLT)  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I’m reading a very good nonfiction book, Following Atticus by Tom Ryan.  Ryan is a small town Massachusetts newspaper editor.  Overweight and out of shape he decides of all things to climb all forty eight of New Hampshire’s four-thousand-foot peaks.  And to make this more unlikely he’s accompanied by his miniature schnauzer, Atticus M. Finch.  Turns out that Atticus is a natural hiker and loves it even in the winter snow where he wears mukluk booties and a body coat.  Ryan writes when snow covers the trail, Atticus instinctively follows the cairn trail markers.  When they meet heavy winds in the exposed areas above the tree lines, Atticus lowers his center of gravity, ducks his head and presses on toward the summit.  He likes to lead and never turns around to go back until he’s reached the top no matter how tough the going.   

I know that sometimes when I run I find myself lowering my center of gravity.  It gives me more power. When riding horses, having a lower center helps the horse move better. To lower the center of gravity makes extremities become less important. On a spiritual level, when we make God our center of gravity then superfluous things in our lives also become less important.  We become more stable and can better withstand the winds of life that buffet us.  It takes a little visualization and practice to lower one’s center of gravity physically and spiritually but you’ll get the hang of it soon.   

Heavenly Father, we ask that you continue to help us to press on toward the prize.  Show us what is important and give us the strength and guidance to make it through the joyous and tough times.  We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.