Finding Balance – July 12, 2015

Proverbs 16:1-3     1 We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:9     In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 19:21     Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Jeremiah 10:23     LORD, I know that people's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary     16:1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. 2. Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. 3. Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.

The Lord wants us to reach our full potential—to become the people He’s designed us to be and achieve the tasks He’s planned for us to do. In our pressurized society, we need to have balanced schedules if we’re going to live according to God’s purposes.

Consider the following five areas. When any is out of balance, our relationship with the Lord and others will be affected, diminishing our effectiveness as servants of Christ.

• 1. To develop our relationship with the Lord and receive guidance, our top priority should be to spend private time with Him each day.
• 2. Time with family and friends is also essential because relationships are such an important part of God’s plans for our lives.
• 3. The area in which we are most likely to become imbalanced is our work. Although the Lord doesn’t approve of laziness, He doesn’t want us to be overly consumed with our careers either.
• 4. If we are to accomplish the Lord’s purposes in our lives, we need to take care of our bodies, allocating adequate time for exercise, rest, and recreation.
• 5. The Scriptures also clearly command meeting together regularly with other believers for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25). While some people have limitations that hinder doing this, most of us have no excuse for being too busy for church.

These general areas all need space in your life, but I cannot tell you how to allocate time for them. The Lord has specific plans for each person, and He is the only one who can accurately direct your schedule. Seek His guidance, listen for His voice, and make the changes He brings to mind.