I used to get hung up on finding the right balance.
Being a husband, a Dad, a brother, an employee, a trainer, a civilian and all the other hats and responsibilities I had would be rather demanding. Especially considering the amount of things required with each responsibility. It would be very easy to get sucked up in one thing to the detriment of the others. I got frustrated looking to please everyone and ending up pleasing no one. The option of just pleasing myself also soon turned out to be a dunderheaded option. (Just had to get the word dunderhead in this blog entry, it is such a cool word.)
What has helped recently is considering again the cost of discipleship. The cost of following Jesus is highlighted in pledging allegiance to one Lord. Exchanging the rule of one (me)for the rule of a greater power in every sense. In the previous regime any sense of order always had a sense of being incomplete and never being satisfied. Under the new owners there’s no doubt there is some awkward changes and it doesn’t always make sense at the time. Yet what there is a clear sense of priorities. Those priorities make for peace.
When Jesus invites us to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness – that is a commitment to let that be the focus and as that is the focus it shapes all other priorities. That way it’s not so much about balance, but it leads to harmony. It’s not so much about ticking all the right boxes, it’s about working towards an integrity motivated by love that results in wholeness.
The life of Christ and subsequent examples of the apostles highlights what Kingdom first living looks like. Whether that’s journeys to new opportunities to sharing the gospel or being a presence in the community that points towards the wholeness in God, Kingdom first living directs what we do and where we do it.
That takes away the hang up on being balanced and positions us more towards what does Kingdom first look like today.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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