The Center of My Universe

Leaving God out of the Equation


“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 53:1a ESV).

Sometimes I flatter myself that I’m the center of Shadow’s universe. After all, I’ve already shown that she follows my every move and seeks me out when I’m not around. She looks to me for food, for shelter, for comfort. She even panics--sometimes--when I’m not in sight.

Then something happens to snap me back to reality. Shadow displays a lack of trust. She gives me the cold shoulder or, worst of all, lets me know she’s only in it for the tuna and body heat. It’s not about me after all. It’s all about her.

Shadow is the center of her own universe.

That sounds like a harsh indictment on Shadow. It would be if so many of us, feline and human alike, didn’t share the same attitude.

Looking at the words of Psalm 53, it’s easy to dismiss them as directed toward atheists or “bad people.” Yet it has as much to do with a shift in focus as with outright denial. That shift in focus can be subversive. Even Christians can be caught by its subtlety if our attention lapses.

Shadow doesn’t doubt my existence. Neither does B.J. Neither has any other cat who has ever owned me. Felines don’t get caught up in philosophical questions or existential ponderings. Their thoughts are placidly centered...on themselves.

We humans fall prey to the same self-deceptions. We forget the words of Psalm 111, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (Psalm 111:10).

When we forge ahead without praying for guidance, we’ve calculated without including God’s plans in our equations. When we panic instead of relying on God’s provision, we’ve forgotten that God holds the universe, not vice versa. When we put our own desires ahead of God’s will or the needs of others, a subtle shift has occurred. We displace God from the center of our lives and put ourselves there instead. We may not proclaim our unbelief, but our hearts whisper it.

“There is no God. I am the center of my universe.”

And that’s just foolish.


Happy April Fools' Day.