Sometimes it's hard to find balance in life. Do you ever feel like it's hard to juggle responsibilities? How can you really give your all to something when there are so many other things to accomplish and do?
I feel like i've been running on a treadmill and it's at max speed. I've grown exhausted because even when i do find time to rest, i'm worried or anxious about the coming day. I feel like productivity has somewhat become an idol. Our culture tells us to load as much as we can do so we can can ahead and be successful. There is some truth to that, however, I don't believe we're supposed to put our walk with God on the back burner. When we are overly busy, we make less time for God and spiritual disciplines. We keep pushing ourselves to do as much as we can and more. We can kill ourselves with academics and work. We say God and family are the most important values in our life, but how much time is really given to spend with them? My point is that there may be a danger in trying to accomplish too much. We crave achievement for ourselves. Yes we should strive to do our best, but not at the expense of our relationship with God. Sometimes i think about the word "relationship" and i think, do i have this "relationship" with God? Do i truly depend on Him? Do i pray and communicate to Him? Do i make time to listen and read His Word? Sometimes God seems so abstract, that it can be difficult to have the patience to seek Him.
I propose we give our all to God. We must give God all that we are. Practically how can we do this? First off, it might start with acknowledging who God is, how loving our God is. It starts by seeing the beauty of the Gospel and the grace that cleanses our sins. Secondly, there needs to be an invitation of the Holy Spirit. God needs to help us in our daily spiritual disciplines. We need to depend on God and walk with Him. Transformation comes relationally.
Perhaps it seems difficult to hear God or sense God, because we're distracted by other desires. Instead of work, school, food, sleep, friends, internet, media, and other hobbies, we are to give ourselves entirely to God. This may require some sacrifice from other areas. Instead of filling our plates with busyness we are to put our spiritual life first. It's extremely difficult to live for God when we're too busy trying to live by the standards of our world and society. Money isn't everything. Degrees are not our highest accomplishments and achievements. Personal character, holiness, and giving our worship to God needs to be our first priority. He must be above all else.
When we are spiritual dry, empty, exhausted, burnt-out, and just plain tired, it's hard to love, serve and give our attention to anything. God must be our source of strength. We must be deeply rooted, satisfied, contented and engulfed in the love of God. I am resolved to make more time for God. I need to figure out a way to free myself up from demanding responsibilities. I need to focus on spiritual disciplines like simplicity, rest, slowing, relinquishment, meditation, contemplation, and prayer. I basically suck at doing daily devotions, and I need to figure out a way that I can commit to something simple enough for me to do.
Since Spring semester just finished, i felt like i had a short breathe of air to relax and not worry about school. I'm pretty sure there's a link between physical exercise and spiritual exercise. Working out and releasing stress and just moving my body seems to help clear my mind. It feels good to release energy out in weights, basketball or swimming. Fellowship is always extremely important. But sometimes alone time with God is much more intimate.
I watched a movie called "Chronicles" and it was about these teenagers who got superpowers. But towards the second half of the movie, it got dark. One of the kids had an abusive father, and it led to a lot of anger and hatred. It just made me think how important family, community and a support system is. The character was a good example of someone who felt misunderstood, lonely and didn't receive much love from others. As Christians we need to practice giving and receiving love.
God help me surrender my stresses and anxieties. Help me to be more intentional with my time. God i pray that i would be able to give my full attention to you. Gaurd me from getting tangled up in sins, idols and distractions. Help me to love others. Give me the patience and energy to accomplish the responsibilities you've entrusted me with. Help me be a good steward of my life. Father fill me with your Spirit and use me for your purposes. Help me to die to myself. I pray that your desires would become my desires. I want to know you more. I want to be closer. Help me when i am too weak. Help me to just sit at the foot of the cross, to see your glory and to embrace your love. Father comfort me when i grow weary. Energize me, teach me, and grant me self-control. God help me to be more disciplined. May i find rest, peace and strength in you. Amen.
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