There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes 7:18 that says:
“It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.”
This is powerful wisdom for our generation. It reminds us that while it’s good to care, to engage, and to stand for truth—we must be careful not to become consumed by things that were never meant to hold our hearts.
⚖️ The Danger of Extremes
Work. Politics. Causes. Movements. Even good things can take a dangerous turn when they start to consume us. When our identity becomes wrapped up in a political ideology, a job title, or a social cause more than in Christ, we step onto the slippery slope of idolatry.
For example, conservatism upholds many values I deeply respect—family, moral order, responsibility. But simply claiming a label doesn’t automatically mean someone has a clean heart, a Christ-centered imagination, or godly character. People can say one thing and live another. And I’m not on a “devil hunt” here. The point is: if we give our hearts fully to anything less than God, it will eventually disappoint us—and worse, it can distort us.
🏠 Seeing the Bigger Picture
Sometimes we get so caught up inside our ideological “building” that we don’t see its cracks. From the inside, everything looks perfect. Step outside, though, and the flaws become clear.
This happens when we fully “sell out” to a perspective that isn’t centered on Christ. When our minds and hearts are consumed by political battles or endless work, we can miss the bigger picture of what God has entrusted to us—our families, our communities, our character.
The tragedy is that in our obsession to “fix the world,” we can neglect the people right in front of us.
💡 What It Means to Be Christ-Centered
For those who follow Jesus, being Christ-centered isn’t just a religious phrase. It’s a daily lifestyle of choosing love over selfishness, kindness over indifference, and life over destruction.
Jesus said in John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
When Christ is at the center, our goal isn’t to win every argument or conquer every cause. It’s to bring life—to ourselves, our families, and our communities. It’s to overflow with goodness in a way that impacts everyone we meet.
But to do that, we must stay balanced. If we become off-centered and extreme, our ability to bring life diminishes.
🛠 A Personal Check
Even in building this RV studio project, I’ve had to check my heart. It’s easy to get consumed with the details—wiring, flooring, solar, design—and forget that my first calling is to Christ, my family, and the community.
The same goes for making videos and music. I give those projects their time, their place, their focus. But when it’s time to step away, I do. I don’t let them own my heart.
💬 A Heart Check for All of Us
Being involved is good. We need believers engaged in the workplace, politics, arts, and culture. But being consumed is dangerous.
Money, influence, ideology, even ministry work—if we want them too badly, we can easily overlook our true responsibilities. And when that happens, people get hurt. Families suffer. Our spiritual life dries up.
I’m not writing this as someone who’s “arrived.” I’m writing it as someone walking this out in real time—trying to keep my eyes on Jesus and my heart free from idols.
🌿 Closing Thought
Engage. Be present. Stand for what’s right. But don’t let anything take the place of Christ at the center.
Because when He’s at the center, everything else finds its rightful place.