The Heliocentric Life

Bible Reading: Psalm 100:3; Colossians 1:15-19

“Mom, which ball should I use for Pluto?” Jack asked as he looked at the different Styrofoam balls his mom had purchased at the craft store for his solar system project.

“Pluto?” asked Jack’s little sister, Janie. “Isn’t that the dog we saw at Disney World?”

Jack chuckled. “No, Pluto is in our solar system, which is part of the Milky Way.”

Janie scrunched up her nose in confusion. “The candy bar?”

Mom smiled. “Janie, we live on planet Earth, which is one of the planets in our solar system. Solar refers to the sun, and our sun is one of billions of stars in our galaxy, which is called the Milky Way.”

“Ohhhhh,” replied Janie, still not exactly sure what Mom was saying.

Mom walked over to the kitchen table where Jack was working diligently on his project. When she glanced at his solar system replica, she looked puzzled. “I see that you have Earth in the center of the solar system.” Mom paused to see if Jack would respond.

“Yep. Earth is at the center, and everything revolves around us.”

“Well, you better check your book again. Look at paragraph three in your textbook.” Mom pointed to paragraph three. “It says the solar system is heliocentric. Helio means “sun” and centric refers to the center. It means everything in the solar system revolves around the sun. The sun is at the center.”

“I know who you’re talking about now!” exclaimed Janie, still trying to keep a pulse on the conversation. “Jesus!”

“What?” Jack looked at his sister, confused.

“Well, Jesus is the Son of God, and He should be at the center of our lives. It’s all about Him,” Janie said with confidence.

Mom nodded. “You are absolutely right, Janie. Just like the sun is the center of our solar system, the Son of God should be at the center of our lives. He created us—and our solar system and galaxy and everything else there is—and He saved us so we could live with Him forever and show others His love. It’s not about us—it’s all about Him.” Emily Rudolph

How About You?

Do you ever think the world revolves around you? Do you think your family or friends should only choose your dinner or movie option or go along with your idea for the day’s plans? If you trust in Jesus, you’re no longer the center of your own life—He is! Trust Him to help you do His will and show others His love.

Today’s Key Verse:
Colossians 1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things have been created through him and for him. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Put Jesus at the center