The Top

It seems the top has been making its way into cultures around the globe (on every continent but Antarctica!) for years now, proving it deserves a place in any list of pop-culture icons. The most classic design is based on two features, the first being a singular point of focus. The second is continuous motion (spinning) around that singular point of focus. Without either of these two things, the top simply falls over and stagnates. It is here that I found myself thinking about an analogy for the spiritual life.
In many ways our spiritual life is like a top in that it too must have a singular point of focus, that being Christ. We must at all times, like the hymn reminds us, turn our eyes upon Jesus. Hebrews reminds us similarly to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrew 12:2). Christ must be at the centre of our lives if we are to live a healthy productive spiritual life.
Secondly, our spiritual life must also demonstrate consistent motion around that singular point of focus. I am not referring to business and an endless, unfocused expending of energy, but an intentional inclusion of spiritual exercise and development. Some examples might include scripture (daily time, opportunities for deeper study and scripture memorization), prayer, fellowship, serving and witnessing. By actively practicing what some would call “spiritual disciplines” we can ensure the continued development and maturing in our spiritual life that scripture calls for (eg. Hebrews 5:11-14).
Let us aim for the singular point of focus and consistent motion around that point that will ensure a healthy, vibrant and useful life!