Put God at the Center
The tabernacle was placed in the center of the camp for a reason.
Think about what usually gets the center of your attention.
Your phone? Friends? Sports? School? Music? Stress? What people think of you?
Whatever sits at the center of your life usually shapes everything else.
For ancient Israel, the Lord gave a powerful visual reminder. He commanded them to build a tabernacle — a holy place where He could dwell among them.
The Lord said:
“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”
The tabernacle was not off to the side. It was central to their worship and their journey. It reminded them that God was supposed to be at the center of their lives.
Today, the temple teaches us the same principle.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
“The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple.”
The temple is not just a beautiful building. It is the house of the Lord. It points us to Jesus Christ. It reminds us who we are, why we are here, and how to return to God’s presence.
Even if you cannot attend the temple today, you can still make the temple more central in your life. You can prepare for it. You can learn about it. You can live worthy of it. You can remember that your life is meant to point toward God.
When God is at the center, everything else starts to find its proper place.
Reflection
What is one thing that may be taking too much space at the center of your life right now?
Today’s Challenge
Do one thing today that puts God back at the center. Pray before checking your phone, read a few verses, look at a picture of the temple, or make a choice that helps you feel closer to Him.
Closing
The Lord wanted to dwell among His people then, and He still wants to be close to you now. Put Him at the center, and He will help guide the rest of your life.
Want more help studying this week’s Come Follow Me lesson? Visit:
joshdowns.com/come-follow-me-for-teens
joshdowns.com/cfm-membership
