Many people have a tendency
to look at life with an all or nothing attitude. We think that to enjoy
the features of living on this earth is to be earthly minded; and to pray,
read the Bible and do Christian work is to live a holy, spiritually minded
life. Although there is some truth in this, the reality is that God created all
good things for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). He put us on this diverse and beautiful planet so that all creation
would point us to Him (Romans 1:20).
As we enjoy creation, we see His glory and majesty surrounding us.
What about our talents in
music, mechanics, giving, art, engineering, caring, teaching, technology,
preaching, serving, etc? We actually balance out these earthly pursuits with a
spiritual mind as we do them all for the glory of God. Paul pointed out to us
that even what we eat and drink should be done for the glory of God (1
Corinthians 10:31). God cares about
every aspect of our life. We often attempt to perfect our self by giving up
what we consider worldly pursuits. The perfecting process belongs to the Spirit
of God, however.
If we try in the flesh to
perfect our self, all we have is more flesh! Our soul requires times of leisure
and recreation in order to maximize its effectiveness. If our soul does not
prosper, our body and spirit will suffer also (3 John 1:2). It is the type of recreation and the amount of time
and money we put into it that determines whether or not we are catering to
the flesh. We relate to our physical world with our five senses, involving
our desires, instinct and intellect. We interact in the spiritual world through
our spirit, which is Born Again at the moment of salvation.
If our focus is consumed
with the natural aspects of life, our spirit will suffer, and our body and soul
will endure deprivation as well. Conversely, if we focus on God's will for each
moment of our day, He will work out His perfection in us and He will lead us to
live a healthy life in body, soul and spirit. If we primarily focus on
fleshly, carnal aspects of life – even positive things such as our job, church,
family and hobbies - they become idols. If we focus on religious aspects of
life, we grow self-righteous and judgmental. God desires that we carry our
spirituality into every detail of our daily lives (Colossians
3:17).
We can only develop true
balance in life when we obey the direction of the Spirit of God for each moment
of our day. Not a legalistic, petty structure of religious works, but a fluid
stream of God’s gifts and character flowing through us into the world around
us. The spiritual world is intangible and invisible, but God’s love and truth
flow generously from a spirit connect to God though Christ. When we live with a
balanced body, soul and spirit, we successfully navigate through life. We are
simply the container from which God pours out His Spirit on everyone around us.
Prayer:
Father God, You gave each of
us gifts to use for your glory (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy 6:17). You did not give them to us so we could use them,
however. You gave them to us, so that You can use them through us! We do all
things through the strength and energy You supply for us. In this way, we
cannot take any credit, but we will give you all of the glory and power forever
and ever (1 Peter 4:10-11).
You even give us comfort so that You can comfort others through us (2
Corinthians 1:4). If we trust in our own
abilities and wealth, we will fail; but as we step aside and allow you to bless
others through us, we will prosper as well (Proverbs 11:28).
Thought for the Day:
We
are only consumed by our human nature if we refuse to allow God
to reveal Christ in us according to His good pleasure. – Ephesians 1:9 