Balancing Act

“Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6

Question:  What does an unbalanced wheel and a person’s unbalanced life have in common? 

Answer:  They both will wear out faster if not balanced properly. 

Just like a wheel needs counter weight to create a smooth rotation, our lives need to be balanced otherwise our life will spin out of control. When we are not balanced with a handful of work and a handful of rest, we too will begin “bouncing on the road” and we will wear out faster.  This is not our loving heavenly Father’s desire for us – living a balanced life brings glory to God as it reflects His desire to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Unfortunately, I have not always taken my own advice and I have paid a price for not carefully regulating my rest times. 

In my book, A Stroke of Love, I share how I learned the “hard way” of living unbalanced.  Sometimes, God’s love for us causes Him to step in and provide the balance that His children need – He lovingly did that for me and the lessons I have learned will not soon be forgotten.  “The answer is to work hard but with moderation. Take time to enjoy the other gifts God has given and realize that it is God who gives out the assignments and the rewards, not us.” Bible Commentary

Do you have one handful of rest and one handful of work?  If you do, praise God, you are a wise soul.  If you don’t, take heart, as rarely are we in perfect balance continually. I have learned that as soon as a car drives off with newly balanced tires, they begin to get out of balance almost immediately as every bump and corner affects the balance of the tire.  Just like a tire needs to be balanced regularly; our life needs to be rebalanced regularly as there are many “bumps” in the road of life. 

Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father who lovingly shows us if we need to work more diligently or if we need to rest more intentionally.

FATHER, thank you that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Help us to live life with the purpose of bringing pleasure to You. Thank you for the times that you have led us to green pastures and thank you for the gift of work. We love You – In Jesus’ Name we pray – Amen.