The Wheel is one of the most important technological innovations. It allows for quicker travel. It allows for timely commerce. It also eventually allowed for the construction of gears and other machines that depend on wheel-like inventions.
The picture to the left shows a normal wheel. To me it looks like a wagon wheel. What are the parts of a basic wheel?
It has a central hub is that which the entire wheel is built around. It is the hub that allows the wheel to attach to the axle. The wheel hub is so important that we call transportation points hubs. We call the piece of technology where USB ports and other wires come together a hub. It is the point at which all parts connect. Next, the spokes spread out from the hub and provide strength for the wheel. I must assume that weak spokes mean a weak wheel. The spoke absorbs the weight and tension of the wheel movement. Next, the felloes is the part I thought was called the hoop or the rim. The felloes are supported by the spokes. It is the felloes that give the wheel its round shape. Finally, the rim is the point of contact of the wheel to the ground. So is the construction of a normal wheel.
What does this have to do with spirituality? The wheel is a perfect metaphor for the Christian life:
* The hub of the Christian life must be Jesus Himself. We must have a correct understanding of Jesus and faith in Him for the wheel of Christianity to exist at all. This means we must know what we believe and why. This means we must have basic faith in Jesus Christ.
* The spokes of the Christian life must then be Bible reading, prayer, service, Sunday church attendance, teaching Sunday School, efforts in sanctification, and any other practice of the faith. These are those things that provide strength for our faith in Jesus Christ. It is these things that allow us to absorb the tension of the world and remain in tact.
* The felloes of the Christian life is the Holy Spirit... because it is in Him that we find the shape and purpose of the Christian life. He gives us understanding and direction. Even Jesus said that we would not be complete without the Spirit. He is our Counselor that leads us.
* The rim is the point of contact with the ground... which is of course evangelism. Our point of contact with the world must always be as a representative of Jesus Christ.
So, hitch up your wagon partner, and gitty up for wagon wheel spirituality!
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