Iron

The chemical symbol for Iron on the Periodic Table is Fe. It comes from the Latin word for iron, ferrum.

Iron is extremely important for humans. One could even say it is central to life. Literally.

Two examples:

1. Iron is found in the center of the earth (and many other planets too). It functions to send out Earth’s magnetic field which acts as a shield and protects us from harmful radiation. The iron is central to life.
2. Iron also plays an important function in red blood cells. Located in the center of each heme unit in hemoglobin, it works to bind oxygen and carry it throughout the bloodstream to the entire body. Anemia happens when iron is deficient. The blood is not oxygenated enough, and if not treated, can be very harmful. The iron is central to life.

What is at the center matters.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

Our hearts are our center. And as the verse above says, we are to guard them. What we place at the center of our heart matters.

“He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:15-17

When I experience lack or feel lacking, it’s usually because my heart has gotten off center. I forget/fail to remember that it is God who holds all things together. He alone is sovereign. I look at problems from the perspective of my strength and abilities instead of his.

I place:

• cleverness
• wits
• personal intellectual abilities
• comfort and stability
• wealth and resources
• achievement
• accolades and public affirmation

at the center of my heart.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… “

Colossians 3:15

When it comes to the throne of our hearts, it’s not a what at the center that matters, but a who.

Christ at the center provides peace and life.

The God of the universe knows that what is at the center is important. On a macroscopic scale, He chose to place iron at the center of our earth home. And on a microscopic scale, He chose to place iron at the center of each heme unit to carry oxygen and life throughout our bodies. But He went even further. On a personal scale, He chose to put the iron nail in the center of each of his palms when he died on a cross — paving the way for eternal life.

Iron… Center… Life

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.“

John 1:1-4

Iron at the center is a reminder. Iron at the center of our earth and heme units provides life. Christ at the center of our hearts provides LiFe.

How great is our God!