to quote someone else: David Clarke (God)

"If you don't have God at the center of your life and your relationship, something else will be at the center."

taken from A Marriage After God's Own Heart by David Clarke

This is a quote taken from a marriage book, but I think it is a great quote for any and all of our relationships - including connecting with students. In our marriages, we can put anything at the center: kids, yard work, physical relationship, your job, your social status. Whatever it is that you spend a majority of your time talking about and being involved with is the "center" of your relationship. For youth ministers and the connection we have with students it could be: sports, books, music, being cool, opposing authority, movies. When you are spending time with students is the focus on only surface level issues? Now these two relationships are not closely related and you cannot compare them, but the principle is the same.

When God is at the center of your life and your relationships, you will not be easily knocked down. You will not be shaken by the changing world. But when it is something else, suddenly you are not so steady. It is not hard to be crushed when the "center" is filled with something that will not withstand the pressure.

Is God at the center or is it something else? If it is something else, what do you need to do to get God back where He needs to be?