It’s a real life struggle to keep my heart and mind in check with my soul.
I attended a music concert the other night, which was a much appreciated gift from a friend. I don’t want to make light of that because I didn’t take it lightly. I went with an impression in my mind of what type concert it would be, and it was not. It wasn’t bad, parts of it were wonderful, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Especially since I am a Java Junkie, and a person with a tender brain when it comes to loud noises.
So I humbly returned home, grateful for the gift but not really looking to buy the guys music. It did cause me to ponder the balance in my own life. Going into the Easter Season should always be a week to pause and reflect on how our lives align with the gospel of Christ and assess our relationship with Jesus.
Job 31:4-6 says [4] Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? [5] If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; [6] Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
If I were to categorize the areas of my life it would be
- God
- Marriage
- Family/Friendships
- Ministry
- Work
And under each category would be sub categories.
- God (Time in the Word, Prayer, Conversation)
- Marriage (Relationship, Partnership, Prayer and Finances)
- Family/Friendships (Relationships, Awareness, Prayer)
- Ministry (Evangelizing, Service, Prayer)
- Work (Commitment, Stewardship, Prayer)
As I write those words, I know my families in each category and subcategory. But I believe that in taking a moment in time to reflect on these matters it will help me go into the Easter weekend with a prepared heart.
Let’s look at each of those categories in the shadow of Job 31:4-6
What are the steps I’m taking to Draw Closer to God through each of the Categories. Whether or not they are spiritual or secular doesn’t matter. But it does matter what role God plays in each one.
That was my issue with the concert… I went for spiritual edification and left hungry. There was too much world and not enough Jesus.
How are my Ways?
When it comes to each of my points how am I stepping in each of the relevant areas. Is God leading me? Am I in His Word, shoring up my Spirit in a way that gives me confidence to make the right decisions in my life? Am I communicating with God dual directionally? Meaning am I talking to Him and Listening to Him? I talk much, but my listening skills have never been good if I’m honest. And how is God reflected in my marriage, family/friends, ministry and career. Is God guiding my steps in those places as well so that my ways are His ways? I have to tell you, when it comes to anything outside of my relationship with the Lord Himself, it is not uncommon for me to take off walking alone.
How is my Walk?
Am I walking in vanity and deceit? I have to tell you that this one hit me pretty hard when I think of my attitude towards “stuff” and the desire to have more of it, my concept of what I should take far more serious when dealing with friends and family and how I should be more aware of what’s happening around me that might effect their relationship with God. It is so easy to be deceived by this world that there are things that matter and things that don’t and there are things that matter far more than I am paying attention to them.
How is my Weight?
Let’s not talk about how much I physically weigh, that is definitely something that needs attention! But let’s consider how we’re going to be weighed in the balance as Job describes. Do we have the understanding of how we align with God’s holiness? That is the weight that God’s going to weigh us by. How does our lives weigh in comparison to God’s design for our lives. I have to think about it like this… If God put all my work for Him on one side of the scale, and my work in the world that had no eternal value on the other side of the scale, how would it work out for me.
For me that is a question that I fear the answer…
