šš«š¤ Christās peace and presence be with you. Itās only Wednesday, but my brain feels like itās put in a 40 hour work week already. I havenāt worked that much yet, but not having a good balance sets my mind in a fog and it becomes a challenge to focus on something other than work. When my brain starts getting to that numb stage, I just want to sit and do nothing, thinking that will help relax and refocus my mind. In reality, getting up, moving around, doing physical work, and getting my eyes off a computer, phone, and TV are more beneficial for me. When my mind is in that numb stage, I donāt want to read or talk to people, and itās hard to convince myself to get up and move. I try to convince myself that Iād do a better job relaxing if I did nothing. In times like this, I can be my own worst enemy and Iām robbing myself of the peace I need to maintain balance.
In Mark 6: 30-32 we hear about the apostles returning to Jesus and sharing with Him all they had done and taught. Recognizing their need for some down time from their work, Jesus invites them to jump in a boat and sail to a deserted place to rest from their work. So, what do you think that would look like for a diverse group like that? Right away, I would imagine some of them maybe grabbed a pole or net and would do a little fishing. Maybe they would find a calm place of shore and do a little swimming. Maybe when they reached their deserted destination, they would cook up a meal, share some stories, and find some moments of solitude and quiet.
I believe thatās a keep point. To gain and maintain balance, to a degree, we need to distance ourselves from our job. But that doesnāt mean we should become a blob that melts into a couch or chair and do nothing. Yes, we absolutely need those quiet moments alone, but we also need moments of physical activity, and interaction and discussion with others. Each of us are unique in what that balance looks like for us. Half the challenge is knowing what our balance combination is and the other half is working at maintaining that balance. When Iām out of balance, I feel fatigued, my eyes are tired, Iām irritable and short tempered. Just ask Brian, heās experienced my unbalance first hand. Itās not that I want to be that way, but sometimes I just donāt even know what we need to get my balance back.
I read this quote by Archbishop Fulton Sheen Monday. āBefore undertaking a task great or small, before making decisions, before beginning a journey, the humble will acknowledge their dependence on God and invoke His guidance and His blessing on all their enterprises.ā
When I start relying on myself more than God, I get out of balance. Our balance starting point is to first get centered and balanced with God. He will flow through every part and aspect of your life, which is why itās so important to start with Him.
Bless others and be blessed.
Shelly :0)
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Third Day Devotions 