Wheel Illustration

Illustrations over-simplify, but that is also their genius. The idea of this one here is that if you incorporate each of these elements into your life in Christ, your spiritual “steering wheel” will help you navigate life.

The Hub: Christ

I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me (Galatians 2:20).

In the hub of the wheel, you find Christ, the one who made possible the healing, salvation, and redemption of our own life and of the human race. He is the God-man Jesus Christ, whose place in the center represents where He is in the place of human history, and where He should be in our life.

Inner Rim: Sacramental Life

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him (John 6:56).

The sacramental life draws us ever more deeply into the life of Christ through his Body, the Church. Thus the Sacramental Life is drawn in a circle around Christ, the center of our life. We experience Jesus in a unique and powerful way when we receive one of these seven great gifts of the Church: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

Outer Rim: Obedience

Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him (John 14:21).

Obedience keeps it all together. God gives us the Scriptures and the Church to help us know how to follow him. It is definitely not always easy to live in obedience to his commandments, and sometimes it is extremely difficult, but God gives us his Holy Spirit who enables us to do all things in him. If you obey him even when it is difficult, he will work it out for your good as he promises in the Scriptures. Everything God has asked of us is for one purpose: that we might love him and love one another as Christ loves us!

Vertical Axis

The vertical axis represents our “direct” relationship with Jesus and the Father in the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

A relationship needs to have two directions: talking and listening. In prayer, we both talk and listen. In prayer we meet God and experience his love. As followers of Jesus, we pray communally as in our Eucharistic liturgy, but also privately, in our inner room, behind a closed door (Matthew 6:6) conversationally, paying attention as we would to a close friend. Our conversation with God is permeated with adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Word

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

God communicates his word to us in many ways by primarily through the Scriptures and the Church. With the help of the Holy Spirit, when we read and meditate on his Word, we get to know him more and become closer to him. The teachings of the Church help guide us as we grow in this knowledge and assist us in living as Christ taught.

The Horizontal Axis

The horizontal axis represents our relationships with other people as members of Christ’s body.

Community

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).

The Holy Spirit binds us together in love. We need one another for support, encouragement, and accountability. Fostering relationships with others who have also made Christ the center of their life is key for growth and perseverance in following him. Being involved in a small Christian community, Bible study, or prayer group at your Church is a good way to do this.

Evangelization

For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… (Romans 1:16).

Evangelization is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people. We witness to the truth of the Gospel by how we live, what we say, and how we live in love with other believers (the witness of word, life, and community). The Church exists to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. When we are following Jesus we want to share with others the joy, peace, and love we have found in him.