‘Stay centered on Christ,’ BGCT president urges

WACO—In a chaotic society, Christians must stay centered on Jesus Christ, Danny Reeves told the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting.

“How on earth did we ever get into this mess?” Reeves, pastor of First Baptist Church in Corsicana, asked in his presidential message to Texas Baptists.

Racial unrest, terrorist threats, political division, natural disasters and moral depravity can create challenges that exceed Christians’ courage unless they set their hearts and minds on Christ, he said, citing Colossians 3:1-4.

Reeves compared setting one’s heart on Christ to a compass setting.

“Our true north is Jesus Christ himself,” he said.

Reeves related setting one’s mind on Christ to leaving one’s wristwatch set on the time back at home while traveling to a different time zone.

“We should set our mental clock on heavenly time and leave it there,” he said.

Reeves offered a four-fold approach to stay centered on Christ—focus on his connection to his people; focus on his control over everything that concerns his followers; focus on his care for his disciples; and focus on his commitment to his church.

“Our lives are hidden in God. There is no more secure place,” he said. “We must learn the difference between hoping in something and hoping in someone.”

Reeves urged Christians to recognize Christ remains victorious over death and sin and enthroned at the right hand of God the Father. Although the world may seem out of control, Christ has “the whole world in his hands” and remains on his heavenly throne.

“He has not left his post,” he said.

Reeves challenged Texas Baptists to shift from an Earth-centered perspective to a heaven-centered vision.

“Be compelled to seek God’s will,” he urged. “Be compelled to search God’s word. Be compelled to support God’s work.”