Balancing Your Crazy Life - D Ann Webb
Ephesians 5:14-17, Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
If I am honest with you, there is not enough time in my life to do everything I need to do, everything I want to do, and everything everyone else wants and needs me to do. I am a pastor’s wife and mother of 7 wonderful children, our family owns and runs three businesses (yes, I said three…), and the list goes on and on. I’m sure your schedule is similarly stretched to the limit. How can we balance and make sense of our crazy lives?
SURRENDER - Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
A balanced life is a life of surrender. It is a surrendering, or yielding, that says, “I can’t, but You can.” Are you willing to trust God completely with everything that is precious to you? He wants to be involved in every area of your life, not just church and ministry.
Imagine a waitress balancing plates and drinks on a tray - sometimes the tray is out of balance. Because of this, the tray comes crashing down and makes a huge mess and angry customers. One of two things needs to happen: either things need to be rearranged or things need to be removed.
Are you willing to let God rearrange or remove some things in your life? When you surrender your entire life, God takes over and begins to adjust and arrange your life, making it count for His purposes, and filling your heart with peace.
SCHEDULING - Ecclesiastes 3:1, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Every busy person needs a planner. Whether it is digital or physical, thick or thin, pretty or plain - GET A PLANNER! Document everything on this planner: Important events, birthdays, anniversaries, trips and activities, appointments, etc. Keep your planner handy and refer to it constantly. This will keep you from over-scheduling your life and overlapping responsibilities.
PLANNING - Luke 14:28, For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Once you have a planner and you know what life-events are coming, take the time to plan! Have a vision and set goals! This could include meal plans, ministry plans, date-night plans (definitely a must!), and vacation plans.
PREPARATION - Proverbs 21:5, The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Planning is not enough. After you plan, you need to prepare. Do not be a procrastinator! You can plan an amazing activity, but if you don’t prepare and you wait until the last minute to get it together, it will be a flop!
“A perfect method for adding drama to life is to wait until the deadline.”
“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
Balancing Your Crazy Life
“Procrastination is like a credit card. It’s a ton of fun until you get the bill.”
PRIORITIES - Job 31:6, Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
Finding balance requires careful scrutiny of your activities (including time-wasters). Examine each from an eternal perspective:
-Is It necessary?
-Does it gratify only myself?
-Does it distract me from things that are really important?
Many times, the things I want to do MUST be moved behind those things that I need to do.
THE MAIN INGREDIENT - Colossians 1:16–17, For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
The most important ingredient in your life is CHRIST! No life will be in balance if Christ is not at the center of everything.
Did you ever play on a merry-go-round as a child? I vividly remember flying off, injuring myself, crying like a baby, and never wanting back on. One day, I found out the secret: the merry-go round can be spinning at supersonic speeds, but if I sat in the center, it was smooth sailing.
There have been seasons when I felt like my life was spinning out of control, and it took all I had to hang on. Sitting with Christ in the center of my crazy life calms every anxiety and brings a peace that passes all understanding. He allows me to enjoy the ride instead of just enduring it. If your life is spinning out of control, make sure you put Christ in the center and trust Him with all your heart.