Living a Life of Balance

When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches -no exceptions. - 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 (THE MESSAGE)

A LIFE OF BALANCE; a life of peace; a life of order; do those phrases stir a longing deep inside you?

Have you gotten to the point that your to-do lists have lists? Then, to make matters even more frustrating. you can't find your list. I heard it put this way by one of my favorite pastors: "Do you feel like you are stuck in the cul-de-sac of life? Are you on the wheel of life, going nowhere?

Yes, I have been there: stuck in the cul-de-sac of life without different results. Doing the same thing day after day but expecting different results has been called insanity! For many years my husband, Tim, and I lived on a cul-de-sac; our children were allowed to play there. They would ride their bikes because there were only three homes on the cul-de-sac. All the neighbors had children, so we all knew they were there and they were safe. We also knew they could go nowhere from there. When they were small, they rode their bikes very happily, until they figured out that they were going nowhere.

Like our children, I too came to a point that I became so tired of going in circles and getting nowhere that I was desperate enough to ask God for help. Today's verse reminds me that disorder or confusion is not of God. Our God is a God of peace and order. Does this mean we never have hard times or bad things go on in our lives? No. It just means in the midst of the storms of life we have God's mind and His peace as a director of balance.

God sent His Son for our lives to have godly order, in spite or chaos.

I began to seek God's help in taking a hard right out or the cul-de-sac of nowhere, in order to realize I could enjoy the peace and balance God intends for me by choosing His plans for me over the world's demands on me.

Going nowhere will wear you out and keep you from doing well for Christ. God is calling you to His presence to fill you with His power and give you direction to move out of the cul-de-sac. To move from just existing to a life of power, love, and movement. A life of living for His glory. Will you say yes?

How does one say yes? The first step in getting out of the mediocrity cul-de-sac of nowhere is giving up time from sleep to be with the King of Glory. Say yes to a daily prayer time each morning before you meet your family or leave for work. Pray, communicate with God, and then obey His word and direction for this day. Let yesterday's failures go, and obey today what God has for you to do. Sacrificing sleep was not at all what I wanted to do. It wasn't that I didn't want to meet with the Lord each day; I just really loved to sleep. However, this has been the best thing for me, providing the most effective tool I have in bringing a holy balance to my life.

Meeting with God, having His plan, and obeying it will put your mind at ease. With the sacrifice you are willing to make, God allowed the truth of Psalm 127:26 to settle in your heart: "He gives sleep to those He loves." Let it settle in your heart and life too. Rest assured, He loves you. Remember He sent His Son to die so you would have eternal life. With that same love, He will bless you with sleep especially when you give it up for Him.

Obedience is the key to having the peace of God.

When you have done it His way, at the end of your day, you will lay you head down on your pillow knowing you've honored God. Obedience brings peace of mind and rest you will cherish.

“All who seek the Lord shall find him and shall praise his name. Their hearts shall rejoice with everlasting joy.” - Psalm 22:26 (TLB)

Written by Rev. Sheila Zellers
Motivated By Love Ministries INTL.