Ordering Your Private World
It is, perhaps, the most important attribute an athlete can possess. Golfers use it to keep their ball in play. Running backs need it to burst through an open hole. Pitchers can’t throw strikes without it.
But it’s not just athletes who need balance. We all do. In just the same way that an athlete can’t compete without it, we too need balance in order to fully maximize our performance in the game of life.
When we focus too much on one area of our lives – our work, for example – our lives get quickly out of balance. And it’s an easy trap to fall into. If you only concentrate on the public side of your life, what everyone else can see, the interior world within begins to deteriorate. Instead of living in the energy, vision, and passion for life that we all long for, we end up frustrated and fatigued.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said it like this: “Next to love, balance is the most important thing.”
He wasn’t simply talking about his players’ physical abilities. What he meant was that he wanted them to be balanced in every area of their lives – mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually – so they would be successful both on and off the court.
Whenever you see a public figure achieve success, and then watch it all implode, there’s a good chance that what you’re really seeing is a life that’s completely out of balance. They’ve paid great attention to the visible side of things – their particular skill or ability, whatever it is that brings them attention and accolades – while letting their interior life crumble and decay.
But it’s not just those in the spotlight who face that temptation. Plenty of people who will never make headlines have the exact same situation going on. When we get praise for a particular skill that we’re good at, it’s enticing to devote an extraordinary amount of time and energy to it. If one is good, seven must be better – that sort of thinking. But that’s seldom true. Twice as much isn’t twice as good.
What’s far better is a life lived in balance and harmony. The Bible gives us a snapshot of what that looks like, when it describes Jesus like this:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
Did you catch it? Attention to the mental, physical and emotional parts of His life? Check. Attention to His spiritual life? Check. Attention to His social interaction with others? Check. Everything in perfect balance.
If you find yourself in need of a readjustment, there’s no better time to start then now. Take an honest inventory of those areas that need attention. Write out a plan of action to address them. And establish Christ at the center of it all, in the place of honor and reverence.
When we regain our balance, we see the world through different eyes. Instead of the tunnel vision that narrows our perspective, we open ourselves up to a world of possibility and potential.
In other words – we begin to see the world as God intends us to.
Questions For Further Reflection and Discussion with Others
- What area of your life tends to dominate your focus and attention? Why?
- How would your spouse or closest friend describe the balance in your life?
- Who comes to mind when you think about a public figure who imploded? What can you learn from his or her situation?
- Read Romans chapter 12. What insights can you glean from that passage regarding establishing mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social balance in your life?
- When have you been tempted to think “more is better”? How does that play itself out in your life?
- What hinders you from making the necessary changes to regain balance in your life? What can you do about it?
- What action step are you willing to commit to right now, to begin the process?
