1997-09-17 - Balancing the Gauges

The Balancing the Gauges Series - Part 1

Ecclesiastes 4:44 I realized the reason people work hard and try to succeed: They are jealous of each other. This, too, is useless, like chasing the wind. (NCV)

Ecclesiastes 4:6 Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind. (NCV)

We live in a hectic, fast-paced world. We are constantly bombarded with technology to make life simpler. Do things faster. Do things better. Do more, better and in less time. Well, you know what I have found out? The faster and more I can do things, the more people want and expect. For example at work, I was the first appraiser around to automate the process and the first and still the only appraiser in town with a digital camera. My office is crammed with all the latest technology, I can crank out some work, folks! My mentality was "get a faster computer, better software, better, more bells and whistles, then you will have more "down" time." I will have more time to study, write, minister, goof off, etc. But you know what happened? The more and the faster I did my work, the more and faster my clients expected of me. I spoiled them! But, worse than that, I fell into a trap. The trap was the world sucking the life out of me -- and it still does at times, when I let it. The world does not care about your physical, spiritual or emotional health.

Nahum 2:4 The chariots race through the streets and rush back and forth through the city squares. They look like torches; they run like lightning. (NCV)

Jeremiah 12:5 If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (NASB)

Do you ever start running so fast and so hard at work, home, or school that you push aside everything else? You shove past, and walk over, relationships, family, and Christ. You stomp on the people you love, and go out of your way to please people who could care less about you. Think of your life as having a "dashboard" with gauges similar to your car. Your physical gauge is screaming for more sleep, exercise and better eating habits. Your emotional gauge is redlining. You have reached your limit and are often short-tempered, forgetful, and totally self-centered. You spiritual gauge rests on empty. You never make time for prayer, devotions, Bible study or fellowship. Or when you do these things you are so out of balanced that you can't focus on any of your spiritual disciplines. How do we get all our gauges back to being in balance?

In my next four devotionals, I want look at some Biblical ways to manage and balance our emotional, spiritual and physical gauges on our "dashboard".

We need to devote ourselves daily, worship weekly, measure monthly and abandon annually. Next week will be "Devote Daily." Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (NIV)

Father, help us to slow down and manage our lives as You want us to manage our lives, not as the world wants to manage life for us. Keep us focused on our main purpose, to bring You Glory in all that we do. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

David