to obedience of faith

Had coffee with a brother yesterday am and he spoke of "balance" -- how it was difficult to have any while juggling marriage, family, career, and ministry; that changes needed to happen since he didn't feel like he could do any one of these things well as is. Been mulling that over as I consider my own (lack of?) balance.

I actually think he has it wrong. By definition, balance is where all things are stabilized, and not where one thing is done well. Doing one thing really well will affect the others; it's a zero-sum game. Want to make partner? Going to have spend that time at the office, hurting marriage and family and ministry. Want to play the martyr and fill your passion by giving your all to ministry all the time? Can't see how that does well by the marriage and family. Want to focus on just that household of yours? Going to have to say good-bye to late-night meetings with the boss, and it might mean you scale back on the ministry stuff.

Lord doesn't want you to get that blue ribbon in any one category. He doesn't expect you to have that strength, that time, that ability. He wants you to be obedient, and at different times, sacrifice the other things for the sake of the one He shows you as priority for that time period, before He switches things up again. Trying to do all things well? How about try to do the one thing well: follow.