What Is Balance?

Dave Ramsey took an interesting phone call on the show earlier today; a man who was starting a ministry, had a newborn baby and expressed his concern for finding and living a "balanced" life, in terms of being able to do his work, be there for his kid and be a good husband.

To this dilemma, Dave gave the man kudos, for indeed his heart and desire is it the right place. Downright noble, in fact. Then I was taken aback, for just a moment.

"A balanced life is a myth!"

Then Dave continued to explain. Your life isn't balanced when a baby is born. Forget work. Your focus is on the birth of your kid. For the 10 hours at the hospital, for the first 10 days you are home getting adjusted. Nothing is balanced. So too, will the time come to work. Not every day will be a "home at 5:30" and ready for family dinner. Work has it's demands and there will be times to push in, stay late and hustle and grind. Don't miss the major events, but part of balance means everyone and everything is subject to just as much of a give as they do take.

We all applaud the movie where the parent quits the job in favor of the family....and yeah, there are those moments and times when that is a real decision that needs to happen. For most of us, though, this is where reality meets understanding and grace. Meetings go long. Clients pay the bills. And there's only one senior prom.

We can drive ourselves crazy getting caught up trying to a live in balance, when in reality, we need to live in focus for the moment. And if it's different tomorrow or next week, then be ready to shift and adjust accordingly.

So pray, this #deaconThursday, not only for the pastors who obviously struggle with this issue, but also for the extended leadership and staff, who are often helping in ministry in addition to their own responsibilities at home as well as in the secular workforce. Pray that God would strengthen them in the juggling of the relationships and inter-workings of their daily duties. Pray that God would help them to maintain proper perspective; that the world is closing in when certain task or routines get skipped, missed or overlooked because of the priority of the moment... whatever it happens it be at the time. Pray that there would be a new level of understanding and grace that occurs in their lives and relationships, both at home as well as in the market and ministry. May God give them favor as they go about their day, each moment as it comes.

For wherever we are
Let us be there.
To be used by God
For His glory and purpose.

- PNC