In balance?

Lately, I have been thinking about the question of balance in my life. The question of how much and which activities and tasks are right for me personally. Should I pursue an idea for a course in our church? Or should I spend time with activities in my private life? What should I do? Do you find it hard to decide time and again, as well?

The Bible tells us that as Christians we have on the one hand the task of discipleship and on the other hand the task of sharing our faith or service, however that looks in practice.

Out of our relationship with Jesus flows the joy of service to him. After all, we want to share all the good we receive from Jesus. And when I think of service, I spontaneously think of working in the church, preaching, evangelizing, children’s work and the many practical tasks.

But wait, what is the most important thing? What does Jesus name as the most important commandment?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ Mark 12,30

Yes, we are to love God with all that’s in us. But the next verse reads:

The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.” Mark 12,31

Does that mean that our service in the church is not one of the most important things? This love for our neighbor can show itself in many different ways. In the activities in the church so much good is done and the love for other people is the driving force behind it. But perhaps loving my neighbor also means loving and living in my neighborhood, at work, with friends, while shopping, on the bus, or wherever?

Should I invest more time there and share the love? The answer is probably to do both! Don’t throw everything overboard, but “fine-tune”!

We can maintain good relationships in our circle of acquaintances and be hospitable. We can live our lives with integrity and love, respecting and being kind to people. This is possible for you and me, no matter what talents we have been given.

When I think of how people lived in the early days of church, very few of them led a team or ministry. I believe that they simply lived together and helped each other. Maybe today we should also give being together a higher priority again. Because it is important to Jesus.

In my balance, I must also not forget myself. I notice that I am at my best when I have a lot of time for myself to reflect and think. When I have peace within myself, I function best – you probably do too. I sometimes wonder: am I allowed to take this personal and apparently unproductive time? Yes, because in this verse ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ it is implied that I also love myself.

Jesus has been helping me understand in the last few months that he wants to lead me into tranquility, joy and feeling at ease. And I am convinced that he promises it to all of us!
Out of this joy and feeling at ease we will be able to love God and people much better. I realize that when I don’t have this and I am stressed, I most of the time become unkind and I find it really hard to love anyone.

What follows from all these thoughts? My balance comes from loving Jesus, recognizing his priorities, thinking about them, and spending time with him.

I have rewritten this blog several times in the last few days, because my thoughts became clearer and clearer as I phrased them. I do not have to follow the priorities of the world or those of my environment, but want to reflect with Jesus and the Bible about what is important and relevant in my life right now. And for me personally, the relationships with other people are a little more in focus for the near future. I’m looking forward to that and I’m excited to see what this will lead to!

How’s your balance? What’s up for you?